The anthropologists of India affirm that the Kolha tribes throng various provinces of Orissa state of the Indian subcontinent. They are mostly found in the Keonjhar district. Most of these Kolha tribes reside in the Bhuyan hills and in the adjacent region, namely, Nayagarh and Chamakpur.
These Kolha tribes have a separate language of their own. However, there are quite a few Kolha tribes who converse with each other in various languages like Oriya, Hindi. For them, English has assumed the status of secondary language. The popular belief is that these Kolha tribes have been emigrated from the Keonjhar district from the northeastern parts of Indian subcontinent during the last century.
Just like other tribal communities, Handia, a type of fermented liquor, is a favorite drink of these Kolha tribes. These Kolha tribes take delight in killing animals and birds with the aid of bow and arrow. By nature, these Kolha tribes are quite shy and introvert.
These Kolha tribes have got an orientation towards spiritualism and religion. As per the records of the eminent anthropologists, it is apparent that maximum of these Kolha tribes abide by all the customs and rituals of Hinduism. Also these Kolha tribes revere "Sajana" tree, paddy, mustard oil and the dog in special awe and devotion. To sustain their livelihood, maximum of these Kolha tribes attend to the rich farmers as mulias or field laborers and are in general they got the payment in advance by their masters, who are popularly known as sahas.
Unlike many of the tribes of the region, these Kolha are les proficient in the field of academics and education.
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