ISSN: 2639-2119
Authors: Sethi S and Naik P*
The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the Indian state of Odisha, the Dongria Kandha, have complex marriage customs, which is the subject matter of this study. The Dongria Kandha is an indigenous community inhabited in the Niyamgiri hills of Odisha. The study was conducted among the Dongria Kandha community of Rayagada district, Odisha. The paper is entitled “Mahala: A Cultural Institution of the Dongria Kandha Community of Odisha”, which focuses on marriage practices and ethno-cultural relationships that prevailed within the community for centuries. The study explores cultural continuity and the forces of change, highlighting the socio-cultural dynamics that shape and influence marriage norms within this unique indigenous community. The objectives of the study are too highlights the concept and procedures of Mahala (Negotiation Marriage) of Dongria Kandha community and determine the major variables influencing the preservation or changes in marriage customs in the community. The study also explained the historical view points and modern influences and providing insights into the larger dynamics of tribal societies in Odisha’s modern socio cultural milieu. The findings of this study are projected to encourage stakeholders and policymakers engaged in the preservation of tribal cultural heritage. The paper concluded with an optimistic note that the customary practices of tribal communities lost its significance slowly in the era of digital society.
Keywords: Indigenous; Mahala; Culture; Custom; Digital
