IMPORTANT TRIBES AND CASTES OF SAMBALPUR

         The tribes and casts in the district of Sambalpur are quite unique in comparision to other parts of the state of Odisha

 i.                    GOND :-

                        Gonds are the most important tribe of Sambalpur. They were very much influential in this part of Odisha. A large no. of Zamindaris of Sambalpur were in the hands of the Gonds. The Gonds are of small structure and dark in colour with sound health. Gonds are very fond of hunting. Now a days they are engaged in Agriculture.

ii.                  SOURA :-

                        Souras generally live near the Forest. They are of two kinds, (a). Laria & (b). Oriya.

iii.                BINJHAL :-

                        The Binjhals are the earliest inhabitants  of the district. They are originally from Vindhyanchal range. Most of the Binjhals are cultivators and rest are field labourers.

iv.                MIRDHA :-

                        Mirdha is a small Dravidian tribe found in Sambalpur. The main occupation of the tribe is digging earth.

v.                  GOUD :-

                        The Gouds in the district are most vital for necessity of the socity. Cattle rearing is the main occupation of the Gouds. A Goud is called Nariha who supplies drinking water.

vi.                GANDA :-

                        Economically Gandas are very backward. They work as professional Pipers and Drummers and are employed as Musicians in Marriage Ceremonies. They wear coarse cloth and generally work as village watchman. They belong to SC community.

vii.              TELI :-

                        The traditional occupation of this caste is procurment of oil through pressing of oil seeds. Now a days due to establishment of Oil Mills these people are engaged in petty business and cultivation.

viii.            KEUTA :-

                        The boatmen and the fishermen are called Keuta. A small proportion of this caste are engaged in cultivation. The women folk are engaged in preparation of Murhi, Lia and Chura etc.

ix.                BRAHMIN :-

            The Brahmins are the most influential and leading community in the district. There are three main classes of Brahmins. They are (a). Jharua, known as Aranyakas (b). Oriya, known as Utkaliyas and (c). Raghunathias or known as Bhimgirias or Nathas.

x.                  KARAN :-

            Karans are the writer caste of Odisha. They constitute also an influential class in the caste system.

xi.                DHOBA :-

            They belong to washermen caste. Their services are indispensable on the occasions of Child birth and in mortuary rites.

xii.              KULI :-

            The Kulis are weavers who are mainly distributed in the district. 

xiii.            BHANDARI :-

            This is the Barbar caste of the district. The main occupation of this caste is shaving and serving the higher caste people on ceremonial occasions.

xiv.            KAMAR :-

            Kamaras are the blacksmith of the district, popularly known as Luhura.

xv.              GUDIA :-

            The occupation of the Gudia caste is to prepare sweets. They prepare special sweets on various ceremonial occasions.

xvi.            AGARIA :-

            The Agaria caste have mostly migrated to Sambalpur from outside the district. The Agarias are a class of industrious and cultivators. They are mostly found in Kuchinda area in the district.

xvii.          BHULIAS :-

            The Bhulias by  caste are improtant in  the district. They weave fine cotton cloth with colourful borders.The Sambalpuri sarees for which the whole district is known Natioally and Internationally are the hand made products of the Bhulias.

xviii.        SUNARI :-

            The Sunaris work in both Gold and Silver Ornaments used by the womenfolk of the district.

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