Over the years eminent anthropologists have conducted research works in several places of the state of Orissa . On the basis of their research, they have inferred that amongst existing tribal communities the name of the Sounti tribes held a special place of significance. These Sounti tribes mainly are found in the Keonjhar district. Quite a few are also found in the Anandapur subdivision of the state. The census report of India too validates this observation of the anthropologists.

According to the 1991 report, amongst the forty-six scheduled tribes of this particular district, Sounti is the one of the sixteen principal tribes. With the rest of the tribes like Bathudi, Bhuyan, Bhumij, Gond, Ho, Juang, Kharwar, Kisan, Kolha etc these Sounti tribes used to maintain a very good rapport.

These Sounti tribal community people converse with each other mostly in Sounti language, which belongs to the famous language family of Indo - Aryans. Festivals, dance, music are integral part of the Sounti tribes. These Sounti tribes are also pious and religious minded and revere a handful of tribal deities. Dharam Devata is the Sun god and Basuki Mata is the goddess Earth.