Lanjia Saora Tribe | 16 Apr 2026

Source: TH 

Recently, the Lanjia Saora tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Odisha, was highlighted for its evolving cultural practices. 

• About Lanjia Saora: The Lanjia Saora are a subgroup of the Saora tribe, inhabiting the forested hills of Rayagada and Gajapati districts in Odisha. 
  • The Saora are considered among the ancient tribal communities of India and are also found in states like Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh. 
  • The tribe includes groups such as Lanjia Saora (hill-dwelling, shifting cultivation) and Sudha Saora (plains, settled agriculture and wage work). 
• Language: They speak Saora, a Mundari language belonging to the Austroasiatic family. 
• Lifestyle and Culture: The community sustains itself through shifting cultivation, foraging, and small-scale farming. Their belief system is closely tied to nature, with rituals, music, and dance forming an integral part of daily life. 
• Traditional Ornaments: They are known for large metal earrings fixed into stretched earlobes and tattoos with geometric and nature-inspired motifs, which hold spiritual significance. 
  • Younger members are adapting traditions by using detachable ornaments and temporary tattoos, reflecting a balance between tradition and modernity. 
• Dance & Music: They perform vibrant dances with spontaneous songs, using instruments like brass pipes, cymbals and gongs, with distinctive attire such as turbans with crane feathers, umbrellas, swords and peacock plumes.