AMARENDRA NATH ROY at 12:42, 18 September 2024

2024-09-18T12:42:22Z

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{{Short description|Cattle herding tribe of Odisha}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| image_uprigh =
| total = 26,403
| total_year = 2011
| total_source = census
| total_ref = <ref>{{cite web|title=A-11 Appendix: District wise scheduled tribe population (Appendix), Odisha |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/43020/download/46688/ST-21-PCA-A11-APPENDIX.xlsx |publisher=Register General of Census Commission of India |year=2011 }}</ref>
| regions =
| region1 =
| pop1 =
| ref1 =
| languages = [[Kui language (India)|Kui]], [[Odia language|Odia]]
| religions = [[Hinduism]], [[Christianity]]
| related_groups = [[Khonds|Kandha]], [[Dangaria Kandha]]
| footnotes =
}}
'''Kandha Gauda''' (also known as '''Tanla Gauda'''), is a cattle herding tribal community of [[Odisha]], India. They communicate within their group using the [[Kui language (India)|Kui language]] and use [[Odia language|Odia]] for interaction with society.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Odisha State Tribal Museum {{!}} Kandha Gauda |url=https://www.ostm.in/tribes_of_odisha/kandha-gauda/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Ota |first=A. B. |url=https://repository.tribal.gov.in/bitstream/123456789/73844/1/SCST_2018_handbook_0062.pdf |title=Kandha Gauda |last2=Mohanty |first2=Sarat Chandra |last3=Mohanty |first3=Sangita |date=2018 |publisher=Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute |isbn=978-93-80705-63-7 |oclc=1091013506 |location=Bhubaneswar |language=en}}</ref>

==Etymology==

The name "Kandha Gouda" originates from the [[Khonds|Kondh tribe]] and "Gouda" (meaning cattle herder in Odia). They earned this name due to their ''[[Barter|bartani]]'' relationship, means working as cattle herders for the Kondh tribe in exchange for annual remuneration.

==Overview==

The Kandha Gauda, traditionally a cattle herding community, resides alongside the Kondh tribe in Odisha. Their way of life closely resembles that of the Kondh, and they are considered a subsection or derived community of the Kandh tribe.<ref name=":0" /> In colonial census records, they were grouped with the Kondh tribe, and post-independence, they are recognized as [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Tribes]] in Odisha. As of the 2011 census, their population is 26,403, primarily scattered in districts such as [[Kandhamal district|Kandhamal]], [[Nayagarh district|Nayagarh]], [[Sundergarh district|Sundargarh]], [[Balangir district|Bolangir]], [[Malkangiri district|Malkangiri]], [[Sambalpur district|Sambalpur]], [[Koraput district|Koraput]] and [[Nabarangpur district|Nawarangpur]]. Their literacy rate stands at 56.49%. In 1981, their growth rate was 111.40%, but it gradually declined to -16.06% in 2011. The literacy rate, however, experienced positive growth over the years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kandha Gauda |url=https://kbk.nic.in/tribalprofile/KandhaGauda.pdf |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=kbk.nic.in}}</ref>

==Society==

The Kandha Gauda coexist with the Kondh tribe, sharing the same [[Socio-cultural development|socio-cultural]] values. Their society lacks a [[clan]] system but is divided into exogamous [[Lineage (anthropology)|lineage]] groups, including Pradhan, Behera, Nayak, and Boi. [[Monogamy]] is the norm, though [[polygamy]] is not restricted. Marriage through negotiation is considered prestigious, while other modes like capture, elopement, and purchase are accepted. Junior levirate, sororate, and remarriage of widows and widowers are permitted. Their family structure is nuclear, patrilocal, and patrilineal.<ref name=":0" />

Cremation rituals align with [[Hindu rituals|Hindu practices]], except in cases of child or pregnancy-related deaths, where burial occurs, and a death pollution period of eleven days is observed. The Kandha Gauda follow a diverse religious path, blending their autonomous tribal religion with [[Hinduism]]. They worship Baral Devi communally and celebrate the [[Govardhan Puja|Gotha Puja festival]], honoring Badi Debata with a [[Diospyros melanoxylon|Kendu stick]]. Magico-religious functionaries like Jani, Dehuri, and Guru conduct their ritual activities. The Jati Mahasabha, a traditional caste council, oversees customary affairs with a chief called Bisoi at the helm.

The Kandha Gauda, traditionally engaged in pastoralism through cattle herding, have adapted to modernization by diversifying their livelihoods. In addition to their traditional practices, they now taken up agriculture, forest collection, leaf plate making, mat-making, and wage earning to sustain their way of life.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Herding castes]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Odisha]]

Kandha Gauda - Revision history

AMARENDRA NATH ROY at 12:42, 18 September 2024