Cultural Mapping of the Sauras in Odisha
Saora is one of the Ancient tribes of Odisha, which is also mentioned in the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. According to local legends, Savari – Rama’s devotee in Ramayana was from the Saora community. Though Odisha is the main land for the tribe, small number of people are also found in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Assam. In earlier times, the King of Gajapati (Gajapati is a district in Southern Odisha,) owned tea estates in Assam, at the time some of the people from the Saora community migrated to Assam to work there.
They have their own native language called Sora, which is a Munda language and they are one of the very few tribes of India that have a script for the language, Sorang Sompeng.
They are known by various names like Saora, Sora, Savara etc. Though government recognises 25 sub-divisions of this community, based on occupation, food habits, dress patterns, social customs and traditions. But they themselves are not aware of this distinction, they believe there are only 2 types of Saora, Lanjia Saora- who live on the hills and still practice their unique customs and traditions, and Sudha Saora- who live in the plains and have assimilated into the mainstream society.
The highland areas of the Gunupur division in Rayagada, and Parlakhemundi in Gajapati, are the main habitation pockets of the Saora in Odisha. The natural beauty is not the only thing that is offered here. Mythology and ancient kingdoms have left their footprints in the region, as storied for the future generation.
This community is a rich bundle of heritage. It has unique art practices, religious customs as well as a dying tattooing tradition called ‘Tantangbo’. They are loosing their heritage due to conversions, modernisation as well as lack of records of their history. Thus its pertinent to record and further their dwindling customs.
Report undertaken by Srishti Mandaar and Anubhav Das of The Tribal Fund for Documentation and Conservation, under the guidance of Nerupama Y. Modwel, Director ICH division.
