Kora (tribe)

The Kora (also known as Kuda, Kura, Kaora, Khaira, Khayra, Dhangar and Dhanger)[2] are an Dravidian ethnic group found mainly in many districts of Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal.[3][4] The 2011 census showed their population to be around 246, 598. They are classified as a Scheduled Tribe by the Indian government.[1]

Kora
Total population
246,598 (2011)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Odisha54,408[1]
Jharkhand32,786[1]
West Bengal159,404[1]
Languages
Odia, Hindi, Khotta, Mundari
Religion
Hindu Beliefs, Animism
Related ethnic groups
Munda people

Etymology

The tribe's name Kora and its alternate spellings are possibly originated from Mundari word for earthworks "Koda" .[2]

History

It is speculated that they are an off shoot of Munda tribe.[3]The Kora are noted for their traditional skills and primary occupation in various earth works such as cutting soil and digging tanks . In course of time they also been engaged in Catechu-making as a professions. This is one of the origins of their alternative names Khaira or Khayra. Now most of them are in farming.[4]

Subdivisions

The tribe is divided into several endogamous groups. The Kora of Odisha claim that they belong to the Suryavansi group while Koras of Santhal Parganas claim to be Nagwanshi.[4][2] They are further sub-divided into a number of exogamous septs called gotras such as Kaich, Mankad, Khapur, Dhan, Nun, Adower, Nag, Maghi, Prodhan, Bagha, Bahera etc. These are further divided into patriarchal lineages.[4]

Culture

The Kora family structure is mostly nuclear. Marriage with same exogamous gotra is prohibited . They are patrilineal and patrilocal. While polygyny is permissible in the Kora society, monogamous marriages are common . Marriage by negotiation is the most common type of marriage. However cross-cousin marriage, junior levirate, junior sororate, marriage by elopement, by capture are also allowed. Divorce, remarriage of widows, widowers and divorcees are also permitted. The groom has to pay the bride price is cash.[4] They cremate their dead in case of natural death and burial in cases of unnatural deaths.[5] They have a traditional village council panchayat headed by Majhi who is assisted by Parmanik. It plays an central role in ensuring conformity to their social norms and traditions.[4] The tribe overwhelmingly follow Hindu religion . Animist beliefs are also followed by the members. Other religions are followed by very small number of members.[6][4]

See Also
  • Tribes of India

References
  1. "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in. Government of India. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  2. Mehta, P.C. (2004). Ethnographic Atlas of Indian Tribes. Discovery Publishing House. p. 340. ISBN 978-81-7141-852-7. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  3. Minz, D.; Hansda, D.M. (2010). Encyclopaedia of Scheduled Tribes in Jharkhand. Kalpaz Publications. p. 141. ISBN 978-81-7835-121-6. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  4. scstrti, scstrti. "Kora". Home. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  5. Minz, D.; Hansda, D.M. (2010). Encyclopaedia of Scheduled Tribes in Jharkhand. Kalpaz Publications. p. 144. ISBN 978-81-7835-121-6. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  6. Minz, D.; Hansda, D.M. (2010). Encyclopaedia of Scheduled Tribes in Jharkhand. Kalpaz Publications. p. 145. ISBN 978-81-7835-121-6. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
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