Home > Travel > States of India > Culture of Malkangiri
Culture of Malkangiri
The cultural tradition of the tribal Malkangiri is reflected from the dance and festivals of the local tribes .

Share this Article:

Culture of MalkangiriThe cultural tradition of Malkangiri is evident from the entertainment programmes of Dance and songs of the tribal people. The region of Malkangiri, though exhibits tribal culture, there is an essential distinctive feature, which characterizes the cultural tradition and pattern of the different tribes living here.

Music is one of the chief features of amusement adopted by all the tribes and in some cases, this cultural trait of adopting music, became their main occupation. Music and dance is associated with crude instruments. During the festive season, when they perform their local dance and music, an unusual unity between the men and women is noticed. Apart from performing during the festive season women sing in chorus when working in the fields, and men and boys while away in the lonely hours of watching cattle by singing plaintive melodies on bamboo flutes or twanging a two stringed mandolin provided with a dried ground for a sounding board. Though music is a common cultural trait to all the tribes dwelling here, in each tribe different type of music are approved for different seasons and different occasions.

Dance occupies an important part in the cultural tradition of Malkangiri. All men and women can take part in the dancing. In time of festivals dancing parties begin at nightfall, last whole night and continue even through the following day. However each tribe has a distinctive pattern of dance, which reflects the peculiar cultural traits of Malkangiri.The mimic fight performed by the Koya tribes tying buffalo or bison horns on their heads is the chief cultural dance of the Koyas. Parojas dance is also an important cultural festival of Malkangiri district. All the unmarried and married young girls participate in the Parojas dance. They arrange themselves accordingly passing one`s right hand behind the next girls back and grasping the left elbow of the third. The dance depicts the cultural tradition of Malkangiri district.

Among the distinctive cultural pattern of the different tribes in Malkangiri, the remarkable trait of the Bonda culture is worth mentioning. They observe the taboos on incest or adultery and their religious obligations with such things define the essential trait of their culture. The Bondas spent much of the time in religious festivals and the feasts and other recreation centering that festival. During every festival there is a routine worship of every demigod and demon in the calendar. The chief festival among the Kondh is the Kedu festival which was once associated with human sacrifice. At present a buffalo is sacrificed in place of the human victim. These distinctive cultural qualities of each tribe constitute the cultural life of Malkangiri.

Hunting is one of the favorite recreations of the tribes in Malkangiri. During the summer when they don`t have any source of income, the men and boys participate in hunting. Centering hunting, several competitions are also organized and hunting is now elevated to the status of cultural festival of Malkangiri. Such festivals culminate in a feast and carouse in the village.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in States of India


East Indian States
East Indian States comprises of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and also the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It defines the cultural heritage, rich historical background and the linguistic unity.
Erode District
Erode District is one of the districts in the state of Tamil Nadu. The district of Erode is having a land-locked area with no sea coast.
Purnia District in Bihar
Purnia District is located in Bihar and extends from River Ganga to Nepal. The district has a rich Hindu history and glorious past.
South Delhi District
South Delhi District is the third largest district of Delhi as far as its area is concerned. South Delhi District is known for its economic, historical, cultural and social significance.
North Indian States
North Indian States formed the cultural and religious unity in spite of having many foreign invasion and the political disturbances from the early era till the British gained supremacy in Indian sub continent.
Kendujhar District
Kendujhar District, spread over an area of 8,240 sq kms, is as varied as the whole of Orissa with waterfalls roaring gorges, mountains and minerals. The manifold expressions of nature in Kendujhar District are considered as unique.
Hooghly district
Hooghly District along the bank of the river Hooghly is one of the principal trading ports of West Bengal.