Volume-XI, Issue-VI, November 2025 |
Preservation of Cultural Identity through livelihood: A study among the Lodha Tribe of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha Rajnarayan Mohanty, Research Scholar, Dept. of Anthropology MSCB University, Baripada, India Sitaram Pingua, Research Assistant, SCSTRTI, Bhubaneswar, India Dr. Basanta Kumar Mohanta, Associate Professor, Dept. of Anthropology MSCB University, Baripada, India |
Received: 17.10.2025 | Accepted: 21.11.2025 | Published Online: 30.11.2025 | Page No: 104-112 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.11.issue.06W.163 | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
The livelihood of Lodhas is interdependent to the canopy of resources as available in the nearby habitual niche. The community has a potent relationship with the nature as for example they considered Mahua tree or Madhuca Indica as a benevolent resource of both medicinal and economic benefits. The study tried to examine this relation of Lodha in Morada and Suliapada block of Mayurbhanj district with the forest in mitigating their livelihood aspects. The Lodhas are found to be attached with their traditional approach of livelihood pattern like hunting of small animal and gathering of minor forest products like medicinal roots, leaves, firewood, honey etc. All these activities are fortified from the forest resources. They also gain some economic benefits by selling these products in the weekly market. The Lodhas are also good craftsmen as they are skilled in making products like leaf plate, bamboo baskets and ropes from sabai grass. The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 may be stated as a motivating scheme for the Lodhas in providing them access to the forests. Still various factors like deforestation, restricted access to core areas of forest and forest clearance for developmental works had disrupted their dependence. The study tried to find out the relation between the traditional livelihood practises and cultural identity of the Lodhas in the research area. It has also discussed the reason of disruption in this relationship. The study advocated improvement in sectors like education, skill development, awareness and providing proper marketisation is the needed for a holistic development. This could also help in enhancing their existing cultural identity. | ||
Keywords: Lodha, Livelihood, Forest Resources, Traditional Method, Cultural Identity |