Quite a multitude of tribal communities thrive in every hook and nook of the whole of the Orissa state.

According to the anthropologists who have conducted several research works in the region have drawn certain information regarding the etymology of the word Holva. This word has been taken from `hal`, which signifies ploughing. Some people also identify these Holva tribes as Kotia tribes.

In the state, these Holva tribes are concentrated mainly in several districts like Kalahandi, Koraput, Sundergarh and also several areas of the Puri district. Need less to say, like most of the tribes of the region, these Holva tribes too speak to each other in the Oriya language. Various dialects of this language too are widely spoken by these Holva tribes. Agriculture is their main source of living.