Ethnolinguistic Heritage of Tribal Odisha

Abstract

Odisha represents one of India’s richest indigenous cultural landscapes, where diverse tribal communities have preserved unique languages, oral traditions, ritual practices, ecological wisdom, and artistic expressions across centuries. The state is home to 64 Scheduled Tribes, including 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), making it an exceptional repository of ethnolinguistic diversity. This study explores the ethnolinguistic heritage of Tribal Odisha by examining the interrelationship between language, culture, identity, and living heritage. It highlights how tribal languages function as vehicles of collective memory, traditional knowledge, folklore, music, and social values while also addressing the challenges posed by globalization, migration, and language endangerment. Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective, the paper argues that safeguarding tribal languages and cultural practices is essential for inclusive development, heritage conservation, and sustainable cultural tourism. It advocates community-centered documentation, education, and policy support to ensure the continuity of Odisha’s remarkable indigenous heritage for future generations.

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