The region of Koraput
(a) The Area : Koraput Region is the abode of prestine tribal communities of India situated between 20o3’ and 17o50’ North Latitude and 81o27’ and 84o1’ East longitude. With its vastness the variety of heights from the MSL (Mean Sea Level) makes it a land of typical geographical diversities. The whole tract can be divided into four distinct divisions each of which is separated by natural barriers as their respective limits.
(i) Rayagada Division consists of two fertile valleys of the Nagavali and the Vansadhara slopes rising from a height of 1,300' above MSL near Ambadala and goingdown to 260' M.S.L at Gunupur.
(ii) The Koraput Division extends from Kasipur to the borders of Vizagpattam plains of Andhra Pradesh. Konwn as the 3,000 plateau above M.S.L.
(iii) The Nabarangpur Division extends to Bastar in the west and is a plateau 2000' above M.S.L. In the extreme norht-east of Nabarangpur however, there is a pocket known as the Pannabeda Mutha which is some 500' above M.S.L. the lowest level from the rest of the plateau.
(iv) The Malkangiri Area forms the fourth natural division. A tract between the Ghats of 3,000 above MSL plateau where the valley of Machkund lies is inhabited by primitive tribes notable among whom are the Bonda, Porajas, Koyas and Didayis etc. The rest of the division is a comparatively flat plain declining from an elevation of about 800' above M.S.L. near Govindapalli in the North to under 400' M.S.L. in the extreme South. During the rainy season it becomes swampy. Thus Koraput plateau lies on a Section of the Eastern Ghats having mean elevations of 3000', 2,500', 2000', 1,000' and 400' above the mean sea-level.
(b) The Hill Tribes : The tribals of Koraput Region comprising one or other major linguistic groups have developed a common peculiar dialect called 'Desia' through a long process of isolated evolution. Some say that the tribal being the original inhabitants of the land the tongue which they speak have independently originated and developed in their own society. Almost all the aboriginal inhabitants of Koraput Region were notified by the British Government as Hill Tribes in 1917 and in Independent India they are classified as Scheduled Tribes, Castes and Other Backward Classes. These divisions are resorted only for administrative purpose and as such are bereft of natural considerations whatsoever. top
The original list of Hill Tribes is mentioned hereunder: Any discussion about tribes in India has to start from the assumption that a tribe is an administrative and political concept in India. In the year 1917 the British Administration declared all the communities as ‘Hill Tribes’ which was subsequently divided in independent India (1950) into tribes, castes and later as Other Backward Classes. The Portuguese travelers and missionaries first used the terms Caste & Tribe while describing the vast variety of ethnic and occupational groups and sects of the Indian sub-continent. The above terms have stuck to society as long-worn masks that are becoming ones real identity of personality.
Koraput tribal life is punctuated by an ever- recurring series of songs and dances and ritual celebrations, despite economic deprivation. This perhaps gives them a strong anchorage into life. Nothing characterizes the tribes' life more than the zest for living, a feeling of gratitude for life of self, a desire to return again and again to this earth. They seldom turn back on life. Two-thirds of the world’s population today take rice as the staple food.
Scientists have confirmed that the first wild plant of rice was found in Jeypore Country (Prior to British this was in Jeypore kingdom), which is scientifically called Oryza Sativa. It was propagated throughout South-eastern Asia as far south as Java.The traditional economy was not exactly self-sufficient, but was certainly self-sustaining. Rice (Oryza Sativa) is being grown using two different methods of cultivation. On the wetland (beda) of the vallies they used the plough (developed methods of cultivation). On the hill slopes, they are using axe and hoe for shifting cultivation (Podu). In some parts of the highlands excellent terracing can be seen; the wall of each terraced field is roughly riveted with stone surpassing engineering skills.
Elaborate irrigation arrangements are carefully made; streams are taken across and around the fields by natural flow. In addition to agriculture, the tribal hunted and fished, engaged in animal husbandry, produced handicrafts, and gathered produce from the forest. The non-agricultural part of their economy was largely based on gathering. The dongar (hilly forest) provided the tribal many varieties of fruits, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tender leaves, wild nuts, wild grass, honey, resin, arrow-root, lack, weaving of local varieties of fiber, wood, bark etc. They bartered those products with the local traders for salt, dry fish, clothes etc. Minor forest produce and Non- Timber product gathering from forests was supplemented by agriculture practices. Domestic animals were a form of wealth for the tribal. Fishing was the prerogative of women and children. Crab was a tribal delicacy and there was no reluctance to offer Crabs to the deities in exchange for divine grace. Every meadow, grove and stream had a name. These were named after myths, legends and ancestors and were consider sacred.
The highlanders devote much of their time to agriculture work, and subsistence during the unproductive period dependent on collection of forest produce as well as stored grain and cereal. Since forest collection is insufficient as a main source to live on during the unproductive period, storage of food grains is an essential aspect of their economy. Therefore, that a large part of the house is used to store grain and other non-perishable food products such as dried fish and kernels and roots etc.