The beautiful state of Orissa houses sixty-two tribal communities with the total tribal population of approximately 7 million. In order words all the tribes of Orissa comprises of almost twenty two percent of the total population of the state. This has been enumerated by the census report of India in the year 1991.

Few more characteristics can be enumerated on the basis of the study and surveys. The tribes of Orissa though belong to 3 linguistic divisions, namely, Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Tibeto-Burmese and Austric.

In spite of incorporating certain unique aspects of culture and tradition, there is a line of similarities exist between all the tribes of Orissa and its tribal ethnicity.

The tribes of Orissa have the tendency to build their houses with bamboo and thatched roofs. Most of the tribes of Orissa take up occupations to sustain livelihood, mainly adapt to occupations like gathering, hunting and fishing. Those tribes of Orissa who reside in the hilly areas have practiced the shifting cultivation.

Just like any other tribal community, these tribes of Orissa also regard marriage as an important institution. Several rites and rituals that are associated with it are feted with lots of joy and fervency. The usual practice is to acquire bride through `capture`. However. The tribes of Orissa execute other modes of acquisition like elopement, purchase, service and negotiation are also there. Over the years however, marriages are being fixed through negotiation between both the families of bride and groom and is also getting popular day by day. Payment of bride price is an integral part of tribal marriage.

The tribes of Orissa are very much religious minded, widely practicing religion like animism, animalism, nature-worship, fetishism, shamanism, and anthropomorphism. Worship of ancestor too is in vogue among the tribes of Orissa. These tribes of Orissa carry on theses religious practices in order to ensure personal security and happiness. Well being of the whole of the community and also solidarity of the group are duly respected.

The main tribes of Orissa are enlisted below:
Bhumia- This tribe of Orissa has the tradition of following the practice of elopement at times of marriage.

Bhunjia- Conservative tribal community of Bhunjia follows the rules of females and also worships the deities in great enthusiasm.

Bondo Poraja- This tribe of Orissa is ancient one with a population of about 5 thousand.

Bagata- The tribal community is considered to be one of the native tribes, conversing with each other in Adivasi Oriya language.

Chenchu- This tribe resides in a special village, known as Penta, clubbed together on kinship basis.

Dal- These tribes of the Orissa state follow the religion of Hinduism, also practicing rites and rituals of the same religion.

Dharua- These Dharua tribes live specially in the Malkangiri district, chiefly talking with each other in Dharua language.

Holva - Several districts of Orissa, namely Puri, Kalahandi etc are hubs of several Holva tribal communities, which is also popular as Kotia.

Jatapu-This tribal community speaks in their own Jatapu language and also in the Oriya language.

Juang- Bnadhu and kotumba are the two distinctive totemic clans of this tribal community.

Koli- This tribal community has been divided into distinctive tribal groups, namely, Sea koli, Hill Koli etc.

Parenga- Shifting cultivation is the main occupation of these tribal communities.

Paroja- This Paroja tribal community reveres hundreds of totemic septs and also preserves them with their own life.

Saora- Saora amidst their rich heritage ennobles the ethnicity of Orissa.

Sabar-This tribal community is one of the primitive tribes of the Indian subcontinent, also known to many as Kariya.

Sitha Khanda- These tribes follow Christian religion most fervently.

Sounti-This tribe is one of the main tribes that reside in the Keonjhar district of Orissa.

Tadvi- The literal meaning of Tadvi is `one who taps the palm tree`