Volume-XII, Issue-II, March 2026 |
Exploring the Socio-Cultural Profile of the Lodha Tribe in Odisha: An Anthropological Analysis Chandan Kumar Das, Research Scholar, Dept. of Anthropology, Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Odisha, India Dr. B.K. Srinivas, Asst. Prof.& HoD I/c, Dept. of Anthropology, Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Odisha, India Dr. Jayanta Kumar Nayak, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Anthropology, Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Odisha, India |
Received: 16.02.2026 | Accepted: 09.03.2026 | Published Online: 31.03.2026 | Page No: | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.12.issue.02W. | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
The Lodha community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in eastern India, exhibits a distinct socio-cultural profile. Living in the forest fringe areas, the Lodha profoundly depends upon the forest resources to sustain their life. In colonial regime they were oppressed and designated as ‘criminal tribe’ and subsequently called ‘denotified tribe’ in post-colonial India. The Lodha have experienced substantial socioeconomic changes in last few decades by the bureaucratic interference, process of assimilation often merged with poverty, illiteracy, and social stigma which impede their progress. Keeping in view of this, the present empirical study has been conducted in the Morada and Suliapada block of Mayurbhanj district to examine the socio-cultural account of the Lodha which can illustrate their clan organization, family structure, livelihoods, magico-religious practices, life-cycle rituals, political life, recent developments and contemporary problems. The study has employed ethnographic and observation method, thereby data has been collected through interview and group discussions from the adult and elder members, the priest, and community heads of the villages. The study has found that the Lodha are facing problems like identity crisis, disruption of livelihoods, poor literacy, health complications and globalization induced negative impact which hinders their social-cultural and economical betterment. Further the study highlights the necessity of inclusive policies that uphold their cultural identity and advance sustainable way of life. | ||
Keywords: Lodha Tribe, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), Denotified Tribe, Criminal Tribe, Assimilation and Dispossession. |