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Chapter III
PROFILE OF ORAON IN BARAK VALLEY
In previous chapter I discussed framework of study and fieldwork
experience. Present chapter deals with profile of Oraon in Barak valley in
terms of their historical, socio-economic, political, cultural and health
profile in the region.
HISTORICAL PROFILE
Oraon, differently known as Uraon, Oran or Oram, is an aborigine
inhabits in various states across in India as well as in Bangladesh. Majority
of them living in Chhotonagpur region of Jharkhand are known as Kurukh.
Kurukh speaks Dravidian language which is akin to Gond and other tribal
languages. They used to live at Rohta plateau but dislodged by other people
and accordingly migrated to Chotanagpur where they settled in vicinity of
Munda-speaking tribes.
Traditionally Oraon depended on forest for their livelihood. Subsequently
some Oraon became settle agriculturalists. From Chhotonagpur, Oraon
[75]
immigrated to northeast India during British period, where they mainly
worked/employed in tea estates.1
According to Anthropological Society of India, Konkan is original home of
Kurukh tribe from where they migrated to Northern India. Kurukh sub-
stratum is very prominent in language of Konkan or Konkani language.
Oraon is a nickname of Kuruk assigned by their masters possibly with
reference to their migration and proneness for roaming.
Oraons are divided into sub-tribes like Ekka, Tigga, Barla, Kujur, Bara,
Lakra, Tirkey,Bakh la, Toppo, Kispotta, Minz and Kerketta . 2 Oraons have
no proper sub-tribes in central province. Even Kuda and Kisan who are
assumed to be sub-tribes of Oraon, regard themselves as separate tribes and
avoid inter-marriage with Oraon. 3
Oraons are divided into many totemic clans. They live in Chota nagpur
plateau of central India. In Raigarh, Surguja , Jashpur districts of
Chhattisgarh, Ranchi district of Jharkhand, Jalpaiguri district of West
Bengal, Sundargarh district of Orissa, also in Bangladesh. 4
1 http://www.tribalzone.net/history/oraon.htm 2 http://www.tribalzone.net/history/oraon.htm 3 www.jharkhand.org.in 4 http://www.tribalzone.net/history/oraon.htm
[76]
Traditionally Oraons followed Sarna Dharma. But due to influence of
Hinduism some they started Sarna Dharma in Hindu way. Varieties of
Sarna Dharma existed due to Hindu influence. These are Bishnu Bhagat,
Bacchinda Bhagat, Karmu Bhagat and Tana Bhagat. Sarna followers
perform religious rituals under shade of a sacred grove. They worship Sun
as Biri and Moon as Chanda. Chanda and Biri are words which are used in
Sarna Puja. They call earth as mother.
A large number of Oraons abandoned their original beliefs of Sarna. In fact,
in 19th and early 20th century Oraons faced tremendous trouble due to
exploitation of British traders.
Christian missionaries found Oraons depressed and without food. They
influenced many Oraons to accept Christianity. Among Christian Oraons,
there are Roman Catholic Oroans and Protestant Oraons, the latter having
several denominations. 5.
Oraons now do not admit outsider into tribe. There is no offence for a man
if he is put out of tribe, but a woman living with any man other than an
Oraon is expelled from the community. Temporary expulsion is meted out
for usual offence.
5 http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07014.htm
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Head of Oraon is called Pannu, and when an offender is reinstated, Pannu
first drinks water from his hand, and takes upon him burden of erring one’s
transgression. For this act Pannu usually receives small amount of money
as fees. Oraons eat almost all kinds of food, including pork, fowl and
crocodile and beef. 6 Virginius Xaxa says Oraon culture intimately related
to environment and accordingly they decide their food habit.
Oraons are primarily agriculturists. Their usual diet consists of rice, dal and
vegetable. Fish and meat are occasionally consumed. What is striking,
however, is that leave, flower, seed, root and fruit are an integral part of
Oraon diet. These are procured from forest. Only a few are grown by Oraon
people them. 7
Oraon prefer to marry an Oraon only. Christian Oraon often marries other
community like Munda, Kharia and Santal due to influence of Christianity.
Sarna Oraon prefers marry within Oraon following tradition. Marriage is
arranged by guardian in family, but opinion of bride and groom is
respected. Child marriage is not recognised. Divorced as well as widow
6 www.jharkhand.org.in 7 http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07014.htm
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women and men can marry again but married men and women are not
allowed a second marriage.8
Sexual intercourse before marriage, according to Sir H. Risley, is tacitly
recognised and is so practiced that no Oraon girl remains virgin at time of
marriage. Within Oraons, indeed idea of sexual morality hardly exists and
unmarried Oraons are not far removed from condition of modified
promiscuity which prevails among many of Australian tribes. Provided that
exogamous circle defined by totem is respected, an unmarried woman may
bestow her favour on whom she wills. If she becomes pregnant,
arrangements are made to get her married without delay, and she is then
expected to lead a virtuous life.”
According to Dalton, liaison between boy and girl of same village seldom
end in marriage. But bringing a bride from distant place is preferred in
community. This appears to arise from rule of exogamy that marriage
should not be allowed between those who have been brought up together.
Young men can choose partners for them. After selection they can dance
together, can move in festival and other social gathering freely. Boy offers
girl flower for putting on hair and present grilled field-mice. Oraons
consider these mice as the most delicious food. Father Dalton states that 8 www.jharkhand.org.in
[79]
matches are arranged by parents, and bride and bridegroom have nothing to
say in this matter. Boys are usually married at sixteen and girls at fourteen
or fifteen. Girl thus has only about two years of preliminary flirtation or
Dhumkuria life before they are settled. 9
FESTIVAL
Festivals have been part of life for Oraons since ancient time. Sarhul and
Karma are two main important festivals of Oraons. Spring festival, known
as sarhul, is celebrated when sal tree is in full blossom. In this festival
Oraons perform symbolic marriage of sky with earth. This is done to ensure
fertility of mother earth. On this day a propitiatory sacrifice is offered to old
lady (the village goddess) who is believed to abide in sacred grove of
village. Phaggu is a festival which is observed towards the end of February
or the beginning of March. On previous evening of festival, a young castor
plant and a semar (Bombax malabaricum) branch are planted in an open
place. Around these some hay, firewood and dry leaves are heaped. Village
priest sets fire to hay. When fire burns at its brightest the young castor
shrub is cut into pieces with an axe. Immediately the young boys of the
9 www.jharkhand.org.in
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village light torches from the bonfire and throw beam of torches at fruit of
trees, saying, ‘Be loaded with good fruit’. 10
DANCE AND MUSIC
Oraons have a rich and vast range of folk songs, dances, tales as well as
traditional musical instruments. Both men and women participate in dance
which is performed at social events and festivals. They pass their time in
music and dance. They sing folk songs in which their life style emerges.
Their dances and songs are deeply rooted in their social and cultural life.
Mandar, drums, Nagara and Dholak and flute are main musical instruments.
Jhumur songs of Oraons reflect their lifestyle and their religious
philosophy. There are seasonal festivals of Oraons which are celebrated by
them on singing and performing dances. All religious ceremonies and
seasonal festivals of Oraons such as Basundhara in month of Baishakh
(April-May), Bhadri in Bhadra (August-September), Jejuti in Agrahayan
(November-December), Itu in Falgun and Sarhul in Chaitra (March) are
linked to agriculture. Marriage song and dance is different from seasonal
10 http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07014.htm
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dance and song. Famous dance and song of Oraons are Karma, Sharhul,
Jhumar, Damkach, Bhadri, Jejuti, Itu and Jatra. 11
ECOLOGICAL PROFILE
Construction of house, household item and other artifacts show a close
linkage of Oraon with environment. Oraon’s house is usually made of mud
wall and tile roof. All same house construction requires use of timber and
bamboo.12
Oraon household includes item like mat, cot, wooden tool, basket, cup,
plate, cushion, rope, mortar and pestle and oil pressers. All of these are
made up of forest products. Hunting implements such as bow and arrow,
sling, spear and sword are made from forest products. Similarly, fishing
tools such as baskets and traps of various kinds are made of bamboo.
Fishing nets are made of twine. Umbrellas are made with the handle and
ribs of bamboo covered with gungu leaves. Even hooded waterproof coat is
made of gungu leaves. 13
11 www.jharkhand.org.in 12 http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07014.htm 13 http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07014.htm
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Major rituals among Oraons, as with any other community, are connected
with birth, marriage and death. There are many customs preceding marriage
with which environment is very closely connected. There is custom of men
going to forest to fetch firewood and women to fetch sal leaves for
preparing cups and plates. Preparation of marriage mat and marriage
baskets of various sizes is another custom. Setting up a marwa is, however,
the most significant. Nine sal saplings with leaves on top are planted in the
courtyard in three rows. Middle one of second row differs in its height.
Other things are branches of bamboo, sidha, bhelwa, mango and mahua.
Mango suggests perpetuity of descendants, bamboo symbolises progeny,
sidha fidelity of husband and wife, bhelwa protection from the evil eye and
the mahua enhance love between couple. Marriage ritual would be
incomplete without this invocation of trees and plants.14
During funerals Oraons practice burial and cremation. Bodies are buried
when crops stand in field. In this custom, various shapes of branches cover
bottom of grave, lengthwise and crosswise. Important festivals of Oraons
are pertaining to forest, hunting, agriculture and cattle. Besides these, there
14 http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07014.htm
[83]
are socio-religious gatherings known as jatras, which take place at
commencement of different seasons.15
HEALTH PROFILE
Oraon also have vast Knowledge of indigenous method of treatment of
diseases. There are about 34 kinds of diseases which are treated with
indigenous medicines. These include pain, fever, wound, constipation,
diarrhea, dysentery, epilepsy, rheumatism, insomnia, tetanus, eczema, etc.
These diseases or symptoms of diseases are treated with medicines based
on leaves, root and bark of plant which grow wild in jungle. Some plants
used for treatment are grown by Oraon in their own field. 16
ORAON IN BARAK VALLEY
In Barak valley Oraons are living in tea gardens as well as neighboring
villages. They are found in fifteen localities situated in different places of
three district of Barak Valley. Most of Oraons are living in Tea gardens of
15 http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07014.htm 16 http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07014.htm
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Cachar District followed by Karimganj and Hailakandi District. Locality
wise distribution of Oraon is shown in table III.1.
Table- III.1
POPULATION PROFILE
Above table shows tentative habitation profile of Oraons in Barak
Valley.The data indicate that 11.2% Oraons are living in Ruttonpore Tea
Sl. No
Locality
Development Block
District No. of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Ruttonpore tea Estate Tapang Cachar 1499 1320 2819 11.2%
2 Boroi Basti (Near of Hatichora Tea
Estate)
Goshaipure
and Dholai
Cachar 2115 1934 4049 16.3%
3 Kalain Tea Estate Hilara Cachar 2812 2622 5434 21.3%
4 Baltilla Basti(Near of Jalalpore Tea Estate)
Kalain Cachar 920 940 1860 7.2%
5 Thaligram Tea
Garden
Udarbond Cachar 2745 2593 5338 21%
6 Lalamukh Tea Estate Monachora Hailakandi 41 49 90 0.45%
7 Pakicherra Tea
Garden
Monachora Hailakandi 56 54 110 0.5%
8 RupacherraTea Garden
Katlichora Hailakandi 290 310 600 2.4%
9 Panchgram Salchapra Hailakandi 95 95 190 0.75%
10 Borakhai Tea Estate Norshingpor Hailakandi 70 60 130 0.7%
11 Adamtilla(out division of Langai Tea Estate)
Lowairpoa Karimganj 390 360 750 3%
12 Baitakhal tea Estate Lowairpoa Karimganj 470 450 920 4%
13 Hatikhira Tea Estate Lowairpoa Karimganj 600 550 1150 5%
14 Sonakhira Village Patherkandi Karimganj 650 550 1200 5.5%
15 Kalinagar Tea Estate Ramkrishna Nagar
Karimganj 400 400 800 0.3%
16 Grand Total
25540 100%
[85]
Estate and 16.3% Oraons belong to Boroi Basti near Hatichora Tea Estate,
21.3% Oraons are living in Kalain Tea Estate, 7.2% are living Basti, 21%
in Taligram Tea Estate, 5.5% in Sonakhira village, 5% Hatikhira Tea Estate
and 4% living in Baitakhal Tea Estate. Very few Oraons are living in
different Tea Gardens of Hailakandi district.
LAND POSSESSION PATTERN OF ORAON
Oraons are working in tea garden since being very long period.
Accordingly they are getting land by the tea garden authority. Hence, they
are using this land throughout generations. Oraons living in tea gardens do
not think about their own land. Among them who are living outside of tea
garden posses their own land. Land possession pattern of Oraons is
presented in table III.2.
[86]
Table-III.2 Land possession Pattern
The data indicate most Oraon (65.33%) are landless while only 34.67%
possess their land in Barak valley.
HOUSE PATTERN OF ORAON
For houseing Oraon has to mainly depend on their Tea Garden Authority.
Tea Garden provides various type of houses for their employees. But
Oraons living outside tea gardens are making their own houses. This has
been specifically mentioned in table III.3.
Sl.No Posses of own land
No of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Landowner 67 37 104 34.67
2 Landless 83 113 196 65.33
3
Grand Total 300 100.00
[87]
Table-III.3 HOUSE PATTERN OF ORAON
From the above table it is found that most respondents (61%) live in
Assam type bamboo mud wall with sun grass roof while less than one-sixth
(14.67%) live in Assam type bamboo mud wall with tin roof. 13.33% have
got their houses made of Assam type wall with tin roof. 7.33% have Assam
type mud wall thatch roof bamboo polythene roof, 4% have Assam type
half wall with bamboo plaster, 6% have Assam type brick wall. Only a little
segment i.e 1% of Oraon have RCC type house.
ELECTRIC CONNECTION
Following table III.4 shows status of electricity facility of Oraon.
Sl. No
Type of house No. of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Bamboo or mud wall with grass, bamboo
or polythin roof
89 94 183 61%
2 Bamboo or mud walls with tin roof 30 14 44 14.67
3 Bamboo and brick wall with tin roof 19 21 40 13.33
4
5 Assam type brick wall 5 13 18 6.00
6 Assam type half wall with bamboo plaster 5 7 12 4.00
7 RCC 2 1 3 1.00
8 Grand Total
300 100.00
[88]
Table III.4 ELECTRIC CONNECTION
The data indicates that most of the respondents (64.33%) have no electric
facility and only 35.67% have electric facility in their house.
ECONOMIC PROFILE
OCCUPATION
Traditionally, Oraons are agriculturist. After their migration to Barak valley
region they are engaged in different occupations. Here their main
occupation is tea garden. Occupation is shown in table no:-III.5.
Sl.No Electric facility No of Respondents
Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Yes 50 57 107 35.67
2 No 100 93 193 64.33
3 Grand Total 300 100.00
[89]
Table no. III.5 OCCUPATION OF ORAON
Data indicate more than fifty percent of respondents (56.66%) are tea
garden worker while 10.67% of the respondents are retired person. Beside
these 7.33% are farmer, 6.67% are house wife, 5.67% are student, 5% are
petty businessman, 4% are unemployed, 2.33% are Govt. employee and a
little segment that is 1.67% of the respondents are daily wages worker.
FAMILY INCOME
Principal earner is person who takes entire responsibilities of family.
Principal earning member of family shown in table III.6
Sl. No
Occupation No of Respondents Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Tea Garden worker 76 94 170 56.66
2 Retired Person 16 16 32 10.67
3 Farmer 15 7 22 7.33
4 House Wife - 20 20 6.67
5 Student 13 4 17 5.67
6 Petty Business 15 - 15 5.00
7 Unemployed 5 7 12 4.00
8 Govt. Employee 7 - 7 2.33
9 Wage earners 3 2 5 1.67
10 Grand Total 300 100.00
[90]
Table- III.6 PRINCIPAL EARNING MEMBER OF FAMILY
Data reveal most Oraon (36.33%) are sole earner in their family. While
15.67% depend on father’s earning and less than one-sixth (15.33%) are
based on their husband’s earning, 14.67% depend on son and in remaining
cases main earner of family is brother 9.33%, wife 4%, mother 2.67%,
sister 1.33% and daughter 0.67%.
NUMBERS EARNERS IN MOST FAMILY
Oraons are generally dependent on tea garden work to maintain their
livelihood. Their daily wage is so less that one person’s wage is not
sufficient to maintain a family. That is why more than one member is
Sl.No Main earner No of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Self 59 50 109 36.33
2 Father 23 24 47 15.67
3 Husband - 46 46 15.33
4 Son 34 10 44 14.67
5 Brother 17 11 28 9.33
6 Wife 12 - 12 4.00
7 Mother 3 5 8 2.67
8 Sister 1 3 4 1.33
9 Daughter 1 1 2 0.67
10 Grand Total 300 100.00
[91]
engaged in tea garden work to meet their daily expenses. Total no of
persons of a family engaged in tea garden work is shown in table III.7.
Table- III.7 TOTAL EARNING MEMBERS OF FAMILY
Sl.No Total earner No of
Respondent Total Percentage
Male Female 1 One 27 27 54 18.00
2 Two 50 51 101 33.67
3 Three 50 46 96 32.00
4 Four 20 20 40 13.33
5 Five 3 5 8 2.67
6 More than five - 1 1 0.33
7 Grand Total 300 100.00
Above table reveal more than one-third of respondents (33.67%) have two
earning members in family and 32% of respondents consist of three earning
members in their family. Remaining 13.33% has four earners, 2.67% have
five earners, 0.33% has more than five earners in their family and 18% of
respondent’s families still depend on only one earner.
MONTHLY INCOME OF FAMILY
Oraons family income is mainly based on tea garden wages. Respondents
view that wages of tea garden is not adequate to meet their daily expenses.
[92]
Hence, they are not financially solvent. Monthly family income of
respondents is shown in table III.8.
Table –III.8 MONTHLY INCOME OF FAMILY
From the above table it is clear most (71.33%) have low family income,
range from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 and 13.67% monthly income is very low,
below Rs 3000. Besides these, 9% of family income is medium Rs 5000-
7000. While 4.33% average monthly income and only 1.67% of
respondent’s family income is relatively high with above Rs 9,000 per
month.
RATION CARD HOLDER
Data presented in table III.9 and III.10 show status of ration card holding of
respondents.
Sl. No
Monthly income (in rupee) No of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Below Rs. 3,000 22 19 41 13.67
2 Rs. 3000 -5,000 107 107 214 71.33
3 Rs.5000 -7,000 17 10 27 9.00
4 Rs.7000 -9000 3 10 13 4.33
5 Rs. 9,000 and above 1 4 5 1.67
6 Grand Total 300 100.00
[93]
Table- III.9 RATION CARD HOLDER
Sl. No
Ration card holder No. of Respondents
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Yes 136 128 264 88
2 No 14 22 36 12
3 Grand Total 300 100
Data reveal majority of Oraon (88%) have ration card and only 12% of
respondents have no ration card.
Table- III.10 TYPES OF RATION CARD
Sl. No
Types of ration card
No. of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 APL 20 16 36 12
2 BPL 116 112 228 76
3 Nil 14 22 36 12
4
Grand Total 300 100
Among those who have ration card (76%) are BPL card holder and only
12% of them are APL card holder.
SOCIO-CULTURAL PROFILE
AGE PROFILE OF ORAON
Age group wise distribution of respondents is shown in table III.11.
[94]
Table- III.11 AGE PROFILE OF ORAON
Data reveal (24.33%) of respondents are from age group 26--33 years,
(20%) are 42--49 year and other respondents belong to age group of
(17.33%) 34--41 year, (14.67%) 18--25 year, (13.67%) 58--65 year, (10%)
50--57 year.
RELIGION
Most Oraon in Barak valley are Hindus and they follow ritual of Hindus.
CASTE CATEGORY
Central Government of India classifies some of its citizens based on their
social and economic condition as Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and
Other Backward Class (OBC). OBC list presented by commission is
Sl. No Age group No. of Respondents
Total
Percentage
Male Female 1 18 --25 22 22 44 14.67
2 26 -- 33 35 38 73 24.33
3 34 -- 41 25 27 52 17.33
4 42 -- 49 30 30 60 20.00
5 50 -- 57 15 15 30 10.00
6 58 -- 65 23 18 41 13.67
7
Grand Total 300
100.00
[95]
dynamic (caste and community can be added or removed) and will change
from time to time depending on Social, Educational and Economic factors.
Ever since India becomes independent Oraon lost their Scheduled Tribe
status in Barak valley and they are deprived of their educational, economic,
and political privilege guaranteed by constitution of India. Thus, all Oraon
in Barak valley belongs to Other Backward Class.
MIGRATION
Migration profile of Oraon is shown in table III.12
Table-III.12 MIGRATION OF ORAON
The above table indicates more than half (51%) of Oraon do not know
about their migration. Rather 49% of Oraon have idea about their
migration.
EDUCATION
Level of education of the Oraon respondents is given in table III.13.
Sl. No Idea about Migration No of Respondent Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Yes 91 56 147 49
2 No 59 94 153 51
3 Grand Total 300 100
[96]
Table- III.13 EDUCATION PROFILE
Data indicate majority of Oraon (61.67%) are illiterate while 15.33% of
respondents got education high school level and 11% respondents
education is up to middle school, 6.67% up to primary l, 3.67% got higher
secondary. However, just 0.33% of Oraon is graduate or post graduate or
professional. Only a little segment that is 0.67% have technical
qualification. Thus, it can say that educational level of the Oraon is not
satisfactory.
Sl. No
Level of Education No. of Respondents
Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Illiterate 85 100 185 61.67
2 Class I to IV 10 10 20 6.67
3 Class v to vii 16 17 33 11.00
4 Class viii to x 27 19 46 15.33
5 Higher Secondary 9 2 11 3.67
6 Graduate - 1 1 0.33
7 Post Graduate - 1 1 0.33
8 Professional 1 - 1 0.33
9 Technical Education 2 - 2 0.67
10 Grand Total 300
100.00
[97]
MOTHER TONGUE
Data presented in table III.14 show respondents knowledge of Kurukh.
Table- III.14 KURUKH LANGUAGE SPOKEN BY ORAON
Above tables reveal majority of Oraon respondents (90%) do not know their
mother tongue and only 10% know Kurukh language.
Among those who know Kurukh language speak occasionally. It is
observed that no Oraon speaks Kurukh language regularly. Thus Kurukh
language is gradually vanishing from their society in Barak Valley.
LANGUAGE USED AMONG ORAON
In Barak valley Oraons do not use their original language. Their language is
a mixture of different languages like Bhojpuri, Bengali and Hindi.
Language spoken by Oraons is shown in table III.15.
Sl.No Use of Kurukh language
No of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Yes 16 14 30 10
2 No 134 136 270 90
3 Grand Total 300 100
[98]
Table- III.15 ORAON USING NON-ORAON LANGUAGE
Data indicate most Oraon (75.34%) use Bagani language. Bagani language
is generally used in tea garden as well as neighboring areas. It is a mixed
language of Bhojpuri, Oriya and Bengali. And a little less than one-fifth
(17.33%) use Sadri language. Beside these 5% use Bengali and only a
small segment that is 2.33% speak Hindi language for communication.
Barak valley is characterised by heterogeneity of castes, languages and
culture. Bengali speaking people are numerically large in number in Barak
valley. Hence, Oraon are generally using Bengali language for inter group
communication. But to some extent they use other languages.
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY OF ORAON
Oraons perform various traditional puja’s namely, Khut puja--- Khut puja
occurs after every twelve years. This puja is also called Dangri puja. Chatal
Sl.No Language No of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Bagani (Bhojpuri mixed Bengali) 103 123 226 75.34
2 Sadri 32 20 52 17.33
3 Bengali 11 4 15 5.00
4 Hindi 4 3 7 2.33
7 Grand Total 300 100.00
[99]
puja is another religious activity performed by Oraons in the month of
January / February every year. Valua puja is performed especially for
cultivator which occurs twice in a year before and after cultivation. Naga
puja occurs every January and February in a year. Karam puja occurs
every September and October by some of Oraons. Hariari puja is
performed every September/ October of year. Pachatia puja is celebrated
in every August month of year. Kali puja is celebrated in month of
October/ November of every year. Laxmi puja is performed by Oraons in
next day of kali puja. In these puja’s they use different traditional musical
instruments like, Dhak, kartal, etc and take Hariya (a kind of alcohol).
Aged Oraon says that their forefather used to do all these pujas and that is
why they perform these puja. Now many of them are not performing pujas
in their family because they think non-Oraon may laugh at their pujas.
Respondents are asked whether they perform their puja is been shown in
table III.16.
[100]
Table- III.16 TYPE OF ORAON RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
Above data reveal 42% of the respondents perform Khut puja and 38.66%
perform chatal puja. While 36.33% perform Valua puja, 35.33% perform
Naga puja, 12.33% perform Karam puja, and 34% of the respondents
equally perform Hariari and Pachatia puja. Remaining these 14% performs
Laxmi puja and only 10.33% of the respondents perform Kali puja in their
family.
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
Addiction of alcohol is a common problem in tea garden society. In tea
garden areas both male and female are addicted to alcohol. Oraon think that
their social and religious activities remain incomplete without drinking
Sl.No Puja’s No. of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Khut Puja 64 62 126 42.00
2 Chatal Puja 100 16 116 38.66
3 Valua Puja 100 9 109 36.33
4 Naga Puja 53 53 106 35.33
5 Karam Puja 37 - 37 12.33
6 Hariari Puja 51 51 102 34.00
7 Laxmi Puja 2 40 42 14.00
8 Pachatia Puja 52 50 102 34.00
9 Kali Puja 11 20 31 10.33
[101]
alcohol. Respondents are asked whether they are addicted to alcohol or not
and reason of addiction is shown in table III.17.
Table- III.17 ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION OF ORAON
Data indicate all most half (48.67%) of respondents take alcohol, one-third
(38.33%) do not have such habit. Remaining 13% remain silent in this
regard.
TRADITIONAL ORNAMENT OF ORAON
Oraon women wear different traditional ornament namely, Baju, Nakfuli,
husle,hathpatta, Sherbondi, Dul, Churi, Hikhol. Women peak up their hair
on head and wear a tikli on forehead. But now in Barak valley only few
aged woman use their traditional ornament. Use of traditional ornament is
shown in table III.18.
Sl. No
Addiction of alcohol No. of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Yes 69 77 146 48.67
2 Not 70 45 115 38.33
3 Not answered 11 28 39 13.00
4 Grand Total 300 100.00
[102]
Table- III. 18 TRADITIONAL ORNAMENT USE BY ORAON
The above data indicate only 4% of female Oraon occasionally use their
traditional ornament and 2.67% rare using their ornament. Besides most
respondent 93.33% never use their traditional ornament. Hence, it is
observed Oraon women do not use their traditional ornament regularly.
FAMILY, KINSHIP AND MARRIAGE
HEAD OF FAMILY
Distribution of head of family is shown in table no III.19.
Sl.No Use of Tradition Ornament No. of Female Respondent
Total
Percentage
1 Occasionally 6 6 4.00
2 Rarely 4 4 2.67
3 Never 140 140 93.33
4 Grand Total 150 100.00
[103]
Table-III.19 HEAD OF FAMILY
Data reveal most of principal bread earner is (41%) head their family and
are sole authority of family. More than one-fifth (21.67%) headed by
husband-among them one-fifth (20%) are headed by their father and in
remaining cases head of family is either brother or son or mother or sister
or father in law
Oraon family mainly consits of two types: joint and nuclear. Nuclear family
refers to a group consists of husband, wife and their unmarried children.
While in joint family members of more than one nuclear unit stay together
and have a common hearth. Family structure of Oraon is shown in table
III.20
Sl. No Head No. of Respondents
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Self 100 23 123 41.00
2 Husband - 65 65 21.67
3 Father 30 30 60 20.00
4 Brother 11 11 22 7.33
5 Son 4 11 15 5.00
6 Mother 3 6 9 3.00
7 Sister 2 2 4 1.33
8 Father in low - 2 2 0.67
9 Grand Total 300 100.00
[104]
Table no.III.20
TYPE OF ORAN FAMILY
Above table indicate majority of respondent (60.33%) have joint family.
Beside more than one-third (39.67%) have nuclear family structure.
SIZE OF FAMILY
Family size of respondents is categorised in to three types viz: 1--5 (small),
6--10 (medium), above 10 (large). Family size is shown in table III.21.
Table-III.21 SIZE OF FAMILY
Sl.No Type of family No. of Respondents Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Joint 100 81 181 60.33
2 Extended - - - -
2 Nuclear 50 69 119 39.67
3 Grand Total 300 100.00
Sl.No Size of family No of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 1-5 (small) 42 43 85 28.33 2 6-10 (medium) 92 92 184 61.33 3 Above 10 (large) 16 15 31 10.34 4 Grand Total 300 100.00
[105]
The table reveals majority Oraons have medium family (61.33%). More
than one-fourth (28.33%) follow small family. Number of Oraons who have
more than ten family members is also relatively high with 10.34%.
MARITAL STATUS
Marital status signifies that whether the person is married or unmarried. On
the basis of marital status the respondents were classified in to four
categories. Distribution of respondents of categories is shown in table
III.22.
Table- III.22
MARITAL STATUS OF ORAON
Data indicate majority of Oraon (65.67%) are married and only one-fourth
(25%) are unmarried. Among these married respondents only (9.33%) have
incomplete family in the sense that either they are widow (6.66%) or
divorce (2.67).
Sl.No Marital Status No. of Respondentss
Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Married 100 97 197 65.67
2 Unmarried 48 27 75 25.00
3 Divorce 2 6 8 2.67
4 Widow - 20 20 6.66
5 Grand Total 300 100.00
[106]
INTER-CASTE MARRIAGE
In Oraon society inter-caste marriage is strictly prohibited. They think that
if they get married by inter-caste they have lost their Oraon identity because
they think that other non Oraon do not understand their culture. But in
present age, some Oraons are getting marriage in other caste. So it is
essential to know their opinion about inter-caste marriage. Respondent’s
opinion about inter-caste marriage is shown in table III.23.
Table-III.23 ORAON AND NON-ORAON MARRIAGE
Sl.No Inter-caste marriage No. of
Respondent Total Percentage
Male
Female
1 Yes 46 4 50 16.67
2 No 104 146 250 83.33
3 Grand Total
300 100.00
The above data show majority of respondents (83.33%) do not support
inter-caste marriage. while only (16.67%) of respondents favour in inter-
caste marriage.
POLITICAL PROFILE
VOTING BEHAVOUR OF ORAON
Data presented in table III.24 show voting behaviour of Oraon.
[107]
Table no. III.24 CASTE OF VOTE
The table shows majority (90.67%) of them cast their vote regularly and
only 9.33% do not cast vote. From above data it is clear that most have
interest in casting their vote. Thus, it can be said that the majority of the
Oraons are politically conscious about their right of voting. Among those
who do not caste vote are of the view that they have no faith in democracy,
only few respondents are of view that due to long distant voting center they
do not cast their vote.
PARTICIPATION IN GAON PANCHYAT ELECTION
Gaon Panchayet or not,their responses are shown in table III.25
Sl. No
Casting of vote No. of Respondent Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Cast vote 141 131 272 90.67
2 Do not cast vote 9 19 28 9.33
3 Grand Total 300 100.00
[108]
Table- III.25
GAON PANCHAYAT ACTIVITY AND ORAON
The table shows most Oraons (53%) participate in Gaon Panchayat
activities and less than half (47%) of them do not participate in such
activities.
PARTICIPATION IN CASTE PANCHAYAT
Caste leader play a vital role in Oraon society. Their entire socio-cultural
programme is being performed under the guidance of caste leader. If there
any conflicts exists in their society than the caste leader try to solve out
neutrally. The respondents were asked whether they have idea about caste
leader this has been shown in table III.26.
Participation in Gaon Panchayat
No. of Respondents
Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Participate 89 70 159 53
2 Do not participate 61 80 141 47
3 Grand Total 300 100
[109]
Table- III.26
PARTICIPATION IN CASTE PANCHAYAT PROGRAMME
The above data indicate majority of Oraon (78.67%) know about their caste
leader. While only one-fifth of the respondents (21.33%) have no idea
about the same.
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT KURUKH SANGHA
Assam Pradesh Kurukh Sangha is a non-government organisation. The
organisation looks after various problems in Oraon. They try to make a
consciousness to get back to their traditional culture and tribal identity
which they say lost after coming to Barak valley. Illiteracy and poverty
keep them arrested. Further the respondents are asked whether they have
knowledge about Kurukh sangha which is shown in table III.27.
Sl.No Participation in caste panchayat
No. of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female
1 participate 136 100 236 78.67
2 Do not participate 14 50 64 21.33
3 Grand Total 300 100.00
[110]
Table-III.27
ORAON’S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT KURUKH SANGHA
The above table indicates more than half Oraon (56%) have no idea about
Kurukh Sangha and 44% have knowledge about their Kurukh Sangha.
HEALTH PROFILE
HEALTH CONDITION OF ORAON
Health is the most important aspect of life of individual or community.
Health problem is prevailing among Oraons. Most respondents reported
health problems. Oraons health problem is presented in table III.28 and
III.29.
Sl.No Knowledge about Kurukh Sangha
No. of Respondents
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Yes 101 31 132 44
2 No 49 119 168 56
3 Grand Total
300 100.00
[111]
Table-III.28 ORAON AWARENESS OF HEALTH
Data show less than one-fifth (19%) suffer from illness and majority of
them do not know neither have adequate knowledge about health related
schemes or facilities.
Table- III.29 TYPE OF DISEASE AND ILLNESS
From the above table it can be understood among those who have chronic
disease most of them come in age above 45 year and chronic problems are
Sl.No Knowledge of illness No. of Respondents
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Yes 23 34 57 19
2 No 127 116 243 81
3 Grand Total 300 100
Sl. No
Type of illness No. of Respondents
Total Percentage
Male Female 1 Gastric 9 11 20 6.67
2 Blood pressure 7 8 15 5.00
3 Asthma 6 5 11 3.67
4 Fever 1 5 6 2.00
5 Old age disease - 4 4 1.33
6 Stomach pain - 1 1 0.33
7 Not applicable 127 116 243 81.00
8 Grand Total 300 100.00
[112]
gastric 6.67%, B.P 5%, asthma 3.67 %, fever 2%, old age disease, 1.33%,
stomach pain 0.33%. Majority of respondents (81%) are fit in this regard.
MEDICAL CARE
Every tea garden has their own hospital to give free medical treatment for
garden employees. Oraons go to garden hospitals or Govt. hospitals for free
treatment. Some of them think that tea garden hospitals and govt. hospitals
cannot provide better medical facility and that is why they prefer to go the
private clinic for batter treatment. Status of their medical car is shown in
table III.30.
Table- III.30
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Above table indicates that more than half (53.33%) of respondents usually
go to tea garden hospitals and 30% of respondents go to govt. hospitals.
Remaining 16.67% go private clinic during illness.
Sl.No Go for medical treatment
No. of Respondent
Total Percentage
Male Female
1 Tea garden hospital 71 89 160 53.33
2 Govt. hospital 48 42 90 30.00
3 Private clinic 31 19 50 16.67
4 Grand Total 300 100.00
[113]
PREFERENCE OF TREATMENT
From the study it is observed respondents prefer three types of treatment
viz allopathic, homeopathic and indigenous which is shown in table III.31.
Table-III.31 TYPE OF TREATMENT
It is seen from above table majority of respondents (82.67%) get allopathic
treatment while 14.33% get homeopathic treatment. Only a little segment
that is 3% of them prefers indigenous treatment during illness.
SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER
Major sources of drinking as well as usable water are shown in table III.32.
Table-III.32 SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER
Sl.No Type of treatment No. of Respondents
Total
Percentage
Male Female 1 Allopathic 121 127 248 82.67
2 Homeopathy 23 20 43 14.33
3 Indigenous 6 3 9 3.00
4 GrandTotal 300 100.00
Sl.No Source of drinking water No. of Respondents
Total
Percentage
Male Female
1 Pond 39 33 72 24.00
2 Ring Well 97 99 196 65.33
3 Tube well 10 11 21 7.00
4 Supply water 4 7 11 3.67
5 Grand
Total
300 100.00
[114]
Above table indicates majority of Oraon (65.33%) use water of ring well
and less than one-fourth (24%) use pond water for drinking and other
purposes. Only 7% of respondents use tube well water and only 3.67%
percent of respondents use supply water.
Thus from above discussion it is observed socio-economic condition of
Oraons is deplorable. After arrival in Barak valley they started following
custom and tradition of other castes and due to this, their tribal identity vis-
à-vis cultural pattern attained a new form. Presently they inter-mix with
local community and adopt their culture, custom and religion etc.
CONCLUSION
This chapter reveals in Barak valley Oraon live in poor condition. They
suffer from multiple problems. Economic life of majority of them is in bad
shape. Education awareness is yet to develop among them. House,
sanitation, condition of Oraon link road is very pathetic in Barak valley.
Hence Oraon suffer from numerous health problem as they are deprived of
proper health care.
