The Oraon (also spelt as Uraon more precisely Oṛāōⁿ) people inhabit various states across central and eastern India as well as Bangladesh. Traditionally, Oraons depended on the forest for their ritual and economic livelihood, but in recent times they have become mainly settled agriculturalists. Small numbers of Oraons have immigrated to the northeastern part of India, where they are mainly employed in tea estates. A numbers of educated Oraons have settled down in metros like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and many other cities of India including Patna, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Allahabad, and Lucknow.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ranchi, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, is an Oraon.

Culture

The Oraon language, Kurukh, belongs to the Dravidian family, and is most closely related to Brahui and Malto (Paharia). Kurukh language is being taught in Ranchi University in Jharkhand. A Kurukh Literary Society have been formed after the first Kurukh Conference held in Ranchi in October, 2006. Many Kurukh language magazines are being published from various parts of India.

The Oraon people have a rich and vast range of folk songs, dances and tales, as well as traditional musical instruments. Both men and women participate in dance, which are performed at social events and festivals. Mandar, Nagara and kartal are the main musical instruments.

A sizable numbers of Oraon have immigrated to the northeastern part of India, where they are mainly employed in tea estates of West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. A sizable numbers of Oraon have settled down in North Bihar and in Nepal. Many have settled down in the lower part of Bhutan (Samchi district).

Kartik Oraon, who was the most educated Oraon, an Indian Congress leader and former state communication minister of India, Albert Ekka, the Paramveer Chakra awardees, The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ranchi, Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, are Oraon.

The Oraon people have a rich and vast range of folk songs, dances and tales, as well as traditional musical instruments. Both men and women participate in dance, which are performed at social events and festivals.Majority of oraon write their gotra (Kerketta, Xalxo, Xaxa, Xess, Tirkey,Toppo,Tigga, Kujur,Minz, Ekka Barla,Barwa, Indwar, Lakra, Beck, Dhanwar/Dhangar, Baghwar,Kachhap, kindo, Kispota, kanda, Kokro, Gaddi, Khoya, Chermanko,Dadel, Niya, Panna, Bakula, Basa, Bando,Bhagat, Binko, Beck, Munjni, Runda, Linda,Son, Rawna, etc) with their name. However, those who follow Tana Bhagat principle orSarna Dharma write Bhagat in place of gotra. Many prefer to write Oraon as second name in place of gotra.

They are identified by different names in different regions of the country:

Andar, Ahiyaru , Ahir, Appugol, Maldhari / Bharwad / Rabari, Bharavadaru, Dhangar, Dhangad / Dhanwar / Dhanka /Dhangod, Doddi Gowda, Gadhariya, Gadaria, Gowda, Gaddi, Gadri, Gollavadu, Gounder, Halumatha, Heggades, Idyar, Khuruk, Kuda, Kuruba, Kuruba Gowda, Kurumba, Kurmar, Kurumbar, Kalavar, Kuruma, Kurumavaaru, Kurkhi, Kurupu, Naikers, Nikhers, Oraon, Pal / Pala, Palaru, Paalakyatriya, Poduvar, Yadavalu.

Religion

About 75 percent of population are Sarna and rest are Christians Oraon Christians have abandoned the different kinds of dances and songs, however, Karma a festival performed during rainy season is followed by them in transformed manner in church.However, Sarna performed religious rituals under the shades of Sarna (sacred grove). About 25 percent of the population are Christians. However, majority are followed Sarna Dharma, where Dharmesh is the supreme almighty.^[1]

See also

• Dhangar
• Kol (people)
• kurumbar

References

Tribes of Jharkhand [ edit ]
Asur • Baiga • Gond • Ho • Kora • Korwa • Mahli • Munda • Oraon • Santal • Kol

This article includes material from the 1995 public domain Library of Congress Country Study on India.