Parenga Tribe

Parenga tribe is known as one of the scheduled tribes of Orissa state. Some of these anthropologists even claimed that this Parenga tribe is a sub division of Gabada tribe. These Parenga tribes speak in a tribal language bearing the same name and it belongs to the Austric language family group. Some of the eminent anthropologists even have traced the origin of these Parenga tribal communities. They are believed to belong to the Austric Munda family along with other tribes like Bhumji, Birhor etc.

Parenga tribes practice the age-old practice of shifting cultivation. These Parenga tribes are religious minded, most of their practices change over the time and experiences. The religion of most of the tribal communities residing in Orissa is a blend of animalism, animism, shamanism, nature-worship, anthropomorphism, fetishism, and ancestor worship. Some are believers of black magic, supernatural forces and spell. The reason of worshipping them is to appease the destructive nature of these deities. Festivals and fairs are part and parcel of these Parenga tribal communities.

Apart from celebrating all the main religious festivals of the country, these Parenga festivals have got their own set of rituals and festivals to be feted in great enthusiasm. To fete these festivals, dance and music form an integral part of this Parenga tribe. The dancers dressed up with the cultural costumes in the dreams of drums and also with the singing of tribal songs .The conventional handloom weaving instruments and wall painting techniques also add to the culture and tradition of the Parenga tribal community.

As per the Census report of the year 2001, it has been observed that these Parenga tribes have really increased in numbers over the years. In fact in one year, these Parenga tribes have shown a growth rate of 116.43 per cent.

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