Kurukh people - Revision history

Ilushiklom: brief expand citations also and improved wording

2026-03-28T03:03:20Z

brief expand citations also and improved wording

->RA0808: Reverted edits by 2401:4900:4148:D4E8:592B:2D83:3446:E03B (talk): not providing a reliable source (WP:CITE, WP:RS) (HG) (3.4.10)

2021-10-30T21:12:26Z

Reverted edits by 2401:4900:4148:D4E8:592B:2D83:3446:E03B (talk): not providing a reliable source (WP:CITE, WP:RS) (HG) (3.4.10)

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:42, 31 October 2021
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	==Origins==		==Origins==
	According to the [[Indian Anthropological Society]], [[Konkan]] is said to be the original home of the Kurukh tribes from where they migrated to the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]].<ref name=IAS>{{cite book\|last=Indian Anthropological Society\|title=Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society, Volumes 21-22\|year=1986\|publisher=Indian Anthropological Society\|pages=See page 75}}</ref> According to the 1961 census, a Kurukh substratum is very prominent in [[Konkani language\|Konkani]].<ref name=mudns>{{cite book\|last=India. Office of the Registrar General\|title=Census of India, 1961, Volume 1, Issue 1 Census of India, 1961, India. Office of the Registrar General\|year=1961\|publisher=Manager of Publications\|location=67\|pages=see page}}</ref>{{better source\|date=August 2021}}{{dubious\|date=August 2021}} The group is said to have settled in the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] by 100 CE.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Singh\|first=Anjana\|date=August 2018\|title=Linguistic Politics and Kurukh Language Movement of the Oraons in Jharkhand\|url=https://www.academia.edu/39717683\|journal=Journal of Adivasi and Indigenous Studies\|volume=8\|pages=37–50\|via=Academia.edu}}</ref>		According to the [[Indian Anthropological Society]], [[Konkan]] is said to be the original home of the Kurukh tribes from where they migrated to the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]].<ref name=IAS>{{cite book\|last=Indian Anthropological Society\|title=Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society, Volumes 21-22\|year=1986\|publisher=Indian Anthropological Society\|pages=See page 75}}</ref> According to the 1961 census, a Kurukh substratum is very prominent in [[Konkani language\|Konkani]].<ref name=mudns>{{cite book\|last=India. Office of the Registrar General\|title=Census of India, 1961, Volume 1, Issue 1 Census of India, 1961, India. Office of the Registrar General\|year=1961\|publisher=Manager of Publications\|location=67\|pages=see page}}</ref>{{better source\|date=August 2021}}{{dubious\|date=August 2021}} The group is said to have settled in the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] by 100 CE.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Singh\|first=Anjana\|date=August 2018\|title=Linguistic Politics and Kurukh Language Movement of the Oraons in Jharkhand\|url=https://www.academia.edu/39717683\|journal=Journal of Adivasi and Indigenous Studies\|volume=8\|pages=37–50\|via=Academia.edu}}</ref>
			==Society==
	==~~Administration~~==		The Kurukh are patrilocal and patrilineal. Kurukhs are divided into many exogamous clans. Clans names among the Kurukh are taken from plants, animals and objects. Some important clans are:
	~~In a~~ Kurukh village, the village level political organization is called ''Parha'' which consists of post such as ''Pahan'' (village priest), ''Panibharwa'' (water-bearer of Pahan), ''Pujar'' (assistant of Pahan), ''Bhandari'' and ''Chowkidar'' (watchman). Each has a particular role in religious ceremonies, festivals and solving disputes in the village. The traditional informal educational institution youth dormitory is called ''Dhumkuria''. The public and common meeting place is Akhra where people meet for the purpose of discussion and solving disputes.

	Twelve to thirty villages form a Parha council. Each village has a village council, member of village council act as the members of Parha council in the headship of Parha chief. One of the villages in Parha is called Raja (King) village, another {{transl\|kru\|dewan}} (prime minister) village, another {{transl\|kru\|panrey}} (clerk of the village), a fourth {{transl\|kru\|kotwar}} (orderly) village and ~~remaining village are called {{transl\|kru\|praja}} (subject) village~~. ~~Raja village has highest social status because headman of this village presides at the meeting of a Parha Panchayat.~~

	Kurukhs are divided into many clans. Clans names among the Kurukh are taken from ~~birds, fish~~, animals, and ~~plants~~. Some important clans are:

	* Aind (a fish)		* Aind (a fish)
	* Bakula (Heron)		* Bakula (Heron)
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	<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.niscair.res.in/ScienceCommunication/ResearchJournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2006/April%202006/IJTK-vol%205(2)-April%202006-pp%20224-226.htm\|title=Tradition of Clan names and conservation among the Oraons of Chhattishgarh\|website=niscair.res.in\|access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://hi.vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/92d93e930924-915940-91c92891c93e92493f92f93e901/90692693f93593e938940-93890293894d91594392493f-914930-92a93092e94d92a93093e/90692693f93593e938940-91794b92494d930\|title=आदिवासी गोत्र\|website=vikaspedia\|access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref>		<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.niscair.res.in/ScienceCommunication/ResearchJournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2006/April%202006/IJTK-vol%205(2)-April%202006-pp%20224-226.htm\|title=Tradition of Clan names and conservation among the Oraons of Chhattishgarh\|website=niscair.res.in\|access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://hi.vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/92d93e930924-915940-91c92891c93e92493f92f93e901/90692693f93593e938940-93890293894d91594392493f-914930-92a93092e94d92a93093e/90692693f93593e938940-91794b92494d930\|title=आदिवासी गोत्र\|website=vikaspedia\|access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref>

			== Administration==
			In a Kurukh village, the village level political organization is called ''Parha'' which consists of post such as ''Pahan'' (village priest), ''Panibharwa'' (water-bearer of Pahan), ''Pujar'' (assistant of Pahan), ''Bhandari'' and ''Chowkidar'' (watchman). Each has a particular role in religious ceremonies, festivals and solving disputes in the village. The traditional informal educational institution youth dormitory is called ''Dhumkuria''. The public and common meeting place is Akhra where people meet for the purpose of discussion and solving disputes.<ref name="admin">{{cite AV media \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_uVr9TtVyk \|title=Tribes of India, PESA Act & Padaha system of Oraon tribe \|date= 16 May 2016\|last=Team \|first=Mai Bhi Bharat \|medium=Television production \|language=hi \|publisher=[[Rajya Sabha TV\|RSTV]] \|year=2016 \|series=Mai Bhi Bharat}}</ref>

			Twelve to thirty villages form a Parha council. Each village has a village council, member of village council act as the members of Parha council in the headship of Parha chief. One of the villages in Parha is called Raja (King) village, another {{transl\|kru\|dewan}} (prime minister) village, another {{transl\|kru\|panrey}} (clerk of the village), a fourth {{transl\|kru\|kotwar}} (orderly) village and remaining village are called {{transl\|kru\|praja}} (subject) village. Raja village has highest social status because headman of this village presides at the meeting of a Parha Panchayat.<ref name="admin"/>
	The Kurukh are patrilocal and patrilineal. Clan name descends from father to son. The major lineage is known as ''Bhuinhari Khunt''. Bhuinhari means owner of the soil. Khunt has two sub groups: the ''Pahan Khunt'' and ''Mahato Khunt''. Pahan and Mahato are two main office of Bhuinhari lineage.<ref name="auto" />		The Kurukh are patrilocal and patrilineal. Clan name descends from father to son. The major lineage is known as ''Bhuinhari Khunt''. Bhuinhari means owner of the soil. Khunt has two sub groups: the ''Pahan Khunt'' and ''Mahato Khunt''. Pahan and Mahato are two main office of Bhuinhari lineage.<ref name="auto" />

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	=== Livelihood ===		=== Livelihood ===
	Originally, the Oraons relied on the forest and its goods for an economic livelihood. Unlike many other communities of Jharkhand which practice ''jhum'', the Kurukh community uses plough agriculture. At the turn of the 20th century however, due to the policies of the [[British Raj\|British colonial government]], most of the tribe worked as agricultural labourers for the ''[[Zamindar]]s'' on their own lands.<ref name=":1" /> However, recently many have become settled agriculturists, while others became migrant workers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|title=Human: The Definitive Visual Guide\|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]\|year=2004\|isbn=0-7566-0520-2\|editor-last=Winston\|editor-first=Robert\|location=New York\|pages=439}}</ref>		Originally, the Oraons relied on the forest and its goods for an economic livelihood. Unlike many other communities of Jharkhand which practice ''jhum'', the Kurukh community uses plough agriculture. At the turn of the 20th century however, due to the policies of the [[British Raj\|British colonial government]], most of the tribe worked as agricultural labourers for the ''[[Zamindar]]s'' on their own lands.<ref name=":1" /> However, recently many have become settled agriculturists, while others became migrant workers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|title=Human: The Definitive Visual Guide\|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]\|year=2004\|isbn=0-7566-0520-2\|editor-last=Winston\|editor-first=Robert\|location=New York\|pages=439}}</ref>

	==Religion==		==Religion==
	{{Pie chart\|thumb=right\|label2=[[Sarna sthal\|Sarnaism]]\|color4=Red\|color3=Blue\|color2=Yellow\|color1=Orange\|label4=[[Animism]]\|label3=[[Christianity]]\|label1=[[Hinduism]]\|value1=36\|label5=Others{{ref label\|naming\|i\|}}\|value4=1\|footer={{!}}{{note\|naming}}'''Others''' includes [[Muslims]], [[Sikhs]] and [[Jains]].\|value5=1\|value3=30\|value2=32\|color5=Green}}		{{Pie chart\|thumb=right\|label2=[[Sarna sthal\|Sarnaism]]\|color4=Red\|color3=Blue\|color2=Yellow\|color1=Orange\|label4=[[Animism]]\|label3=[[Christianity]]\|label1=[[Hinduism]]\|value1=36\|label5=Others{{ref label\|naming\|i\|}}\|value4=1\|footer={{!}}{{note\|naming}}'''Others''' includes [[Muslims]], [[Sikhs]] and [[Jains]].\|value5=1\|value3=30\|value2=32\|color5=Green}}

imported>Dev0745: correction

2021-09-04T02:14:33Z

correction

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Kurukh
| native_name = Kurukhar
| image = Kurukh dance of Oraons .jpg
| image_caption = Kurukh in traditional clothes performing dance
| total = 3,776,688
| total_year = 2011
| region1 = {{flag|India}}
| pop1 = {{circa|3,684,888}}
| ref1 = <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/ST.html|title=A-11 Individual Scheduled Tribe Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix|publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=2017-11-03}}</ref>
| region2 = {{spaces|3}}[[Jharkhand]]
| pop2 = 1,716,618
| ref2 =
| region3 = {{spaces|3}}[[Chhattisgarh]]
| pop3 = 748,739
| region4 = {{spaces|3}}[[West Bengal]]
| pop4 = 643,510
| region5 = {{spaces|3}}[[Odisha]]
| pop5 = 358,112
| region6 = {{spaces|3}}[[Bihar]]
| pop6 = 144,472
| region7 = {{spaces|3}}[[Assam]]
| pop7 = 73,437
| ref7 = <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language_MTs.html|title=Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011|publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=2018-07-07}}</ref>
| region8 = {{flag|Bangladesh}}
| pop8 = 50,000
| ref8 = <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/kru|title=Kurux|work=Ethnologue|access-date=2018-07-11|language=en}}</ref>
| region9 = {{flag|Nepal}}
| pop9 = 37,424
| ref9 = <ref>{{Cite journal|title=National Population and Housing Census 2011: Social Characteristics Tables|url=https://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/upLoads/2018/12/Volume05Part02.pdf|journal=Nepal Census|via=Government of Nepal}}</ref>
| region10 = {{flag|Bhutan}}
| pop10 = 4200
| ref10 = <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=1235|title=Oraon of Bhutan|work=PeopleGroups|access-date=2020-01-28|language=en}}</ref>
| languages = [[Kurukh language|Kurukh]]{{*}}[[Hindi]]{{*}}[[Sadri language|Sadri]]{{*}}[[Odia language|Odia]] •[[Bengali language|Bengali]]
| religions = '''Majority''' [[File:Om.svg|15px]] [[Hinduism]] (36%)<ref name="censusindia.gov.in">{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14.html|title=Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=2017-11-02}}</ref> '''Minority''' [[Sarnaism]] (32%){{*}}[[File:Christian cross.svg|12px]] [[Christianity]] (30%){{*}}Other (1%)<ref name="censusindia.gov.in">{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14.html|title=Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=2017-11-02}}</ref>
| related = {{hlist|[[Dravidian peoples|Dravidian people]]|[[Mal Paharia people|Mal Paharia]]|[[Sauria Paharia people|Sauria Paharia]]}}
| native_name_lang =
}}

The '''Kurukh''' or '''Oraon''' ([[Kurukh language|Kurukh]]: ''Kuṛuḵẖ'' and ''Oṛāōn''), also spelt '''Uraon''' or '''Oraon''', are a [[Dravidian peoples|Dravidian]] [[ethnic group]] inhabiting the Indian states of [[Jharkhand]], [[West Bengal]], [[Odisha]] and [[Chhattisgarh]]. They predominantly speak [[Kurukh language|Kurukh]] as their native language, which belongs to the Dravidian language family.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC&pg=PA256|title=Encyclopaedic Profile of Indian Tribes, Volume 1|website=books.google.com|isbn=9788171412983|last1=Prasad|first1=R. R.|year=1996}}</ref> In [[Maharashtra]], Oraon people are also known as Dhangad or Dhangar.<ref>{{cite book|last3=Anthropological Survey of India| last2 = Mehta| first2 = B. V.| last1 = Singh | first1= Kumar Suresh|title=Maharashtra Part 3|year=2004|publisher=Anthropological Survey of India|page=1585| isbn = 9788179911020| url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Maharashtra/4bfmnmsBfQ4C?hl=en&gbpv=0}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |author=Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India |date= December 2002|title=27th report of Standing Committee on Labour and Welfare with regards to SCs and STs order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2002|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/65979/1/13_Labour_27.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201024014153/https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/65979/1/13_Labour_27.pdf|archive-date= 24 October 2020}}</ref>

Traditionally, Oraons depended on the forest and farms for their ritual and economic livelihood, but in recent times, a few of them have become mainly settled agriculturalists. Many Oraon migrated to tea gardens of [[Assam]], [[West Bengal]] and Bangladesh as well as to countries like [[Fiji]], [[Guyana]], [[Trinidad]] and [[Mauritius]] during [[British Raj|British rule]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/oraons |title=Oraons - Dictionary definition of Oraons |website=Encyclopedia.com |language=en |access-date=2017-10-14}}</ref> They are listed as a [[Scheduled Tribe]] for the purpose of [[Reservation in India|India's reservation system]].<ref name="list">{{cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/ST%20Lists.pdf|title=List of notified Scheduled Tribes|publisher=Census India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107225208/http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/ST%20Lists.pdf|archive-date=7 November 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=9 February 2019}}</ref>

==Etymology==
"Oraon" is an exonym assigned by neighboring Munda peoples, meaning "to roam."<ref>Dalton E T, The Oraons, Descriptive Ethnology of Bengal, 1872. Section 1, page 215.</ref>

==Origins==
According to the [[Indian Anthropological Society]], [[Konkan]] is said to be the original home of the Kurukh tribes from where they migrated to the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]].<ref name=IAS>{{cite book|last=Indian Anthropological Society|title=Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society, Volumes 21-22|year=1986|publisher=Indian Anthropological Society|pages=See page 75}}</ref> According to the 1961 census, a Kurukh substratum is very prominent in [[Konkani language|Konkani]].<ref name=mudns>{{cite book|last=India. Office of the Registrar General|title=Census of India, 1961, Volume 1, Issue 1 Census of India, 1961, India. Office of the Registrar General|year=1961|publisher=Manager of Publications|location=67|pages=see page}}</ref>{{better source|date=August 2021}}{{dubious|date=August 2021}} The group is said to have settled in the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] by 100 CE.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Singh|first=Anjana|date=August 2018|title=Linguistic Politics and Kurukh Language Movement of the Oraons in Jharkhand|url=https://www.academia.edu/39717683|journal=Journal of Adivasi and Indigenous Studies|volume=8|pages=37–50|via=Academia.edu}}</ref>

==Administration==
In a Kurukh village, the village level political organization is called ''Parha'' which consists of post such as ''Pahan'' (village priest), ''Panibharwa'' (water-bearer of Pahan), ''Pujar'' (assistant of Pahan), ''Bhandari'' and ''Chowkidar'' (watchman). Each has a particular role in religious ceremonies, festivals and solving disputes in the village. The traditional informal educational institution youth dormitory is called ''Dhumkuria''. The public and common meeting place is Akhra where people meet for the purpose of discussion and solving disputes.

Twelve to thirty villages form a Parha council. Each village has a village council, member of village council act as the members of Parha council in the headship of Parha chief. One of the villages in Parha is called Raja (King) village, another {{transl|kru|dewan}} (prime minister) village, another {{transl|kru|panrey}} (clerk of the village), a fourth {{transl|kru|kotwar}} (orderly) village and remaining village are called {{transl|kru|praja}} (subject) village. Raja village has highest social status because headman of this village presides at the meeting of a Parha Panchayat.

Kurukhs are divided into many clans. Clans names among the Kurukh are taken from birds, fish, animals, and plants. Some important clans are:

* Aind (a fish)
* Bakula (Heron)
* Bara (banyan)
* Barwa (wild dog)
* Beck (Salt)
* Chidra (squirrel)
* Dhan (Paddy)
* Edgo (mouse)
* Ekka (turtle)
* Gede (duck)
* Halman (langur)
* Khoya (wild dog)
* Kiro (a fruit)
* Kachhap (tortoise)
* Kerketta (Hedge- sparrow)
* Kujur (Medicinal plant)
* Lakra (tiger)
* Minz (a fish)
* Nag (Cobra)
* Panna (Iron)
* Tido (a fish)
* Tirkey (an eagle)
* Toppo (woodpecker)
* Tigga (monkey)
* Xalxo (pigeon)
* Xaxa (crow)
* Xess (Paddy)
<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.niscair.res.in/ScienceCommunication/ResearchJournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2006/April%202006/IJTK-vol%205(2)-April%202006-pp%20224-226.htm|title=Tradition of Clan names and conservation among the Oraons of Chhattishgarh|website=niscair.res.in|access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hi.vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/92d93e930924-915940-91c92891c93e92493f92f93e901/90692693f93593e938940-93890293894d91594392493f-914930-92a93092e94d92a93093e/90692693f93593e938940-91794b92494d930|title=आदिवासी गोत्र|website=vikaspedia|access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref>

The Kurukh are patrilocal and patrilineal. Clan name descends from father to son. The major lineage is known as ''Bhuinhari Khunt''. Bhuinhari means owner of the soil. Khunt has two sub groups: the ''Pahan Khunt'' and ''Mahato Khunt''. Pahan and Mahato are two main office of Bhuinhari lineage.<ref name="auto" />

==Culture==
===Language===
Kurukh are traditional speakers of [[Kurukh language|Kurukh]], which belongs to the northern branch of the [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian]] family. Around half still speak this language as their mother tongue. However, many have adopted the local ''lingua franca''s, [[Sadri language|Sadri]] and [[Odia language|Odia]], as their first languages.<ref name="auto"/>

=== Festivals ===
The Kurukh celebrate all traditional festivals of the Chota Nagpur plateau: [[Tribes of Jharkhand#Sarhul|Sarhul]], [[Karam (festival)|Karma]], Dhanbuni, Harihari, Nayakhani, Khariyani etc.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.etribaltribune.com/index.php/volume-1/issue-7/marriage-customs-among-the-oraons|title=Marriage Customs among The Oraons|website=etribaltribune.com}}</ref>

=== Music and dance ===
Since time immemorial The Oraon people have a rich range of folk songs, dances and tales,<ref name="Hahn1906">{{cite book|author=Ferdinand Hahn|title=Blicke in die Geisteswelt der heidnischen Kols: Sammlung von Sagen, Märchen und Liedern der Oraon in Chota Nagpur|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLrYAAAAMAAJ|access-date=25 August 2012|year=1906|publisher=C. Bertelsmann}}</ref> as well as traditional musical instruments. Both men and women participate in dances, which are performed at social events and festivals. The Mandar, [[Naqareh|Nagara]] and Kartal are the main musical instruments. In Kurukh, song is known as "Dandi". Some Kurukh folk dances are war dances (between two Parhas), [[Karma dance]] (Karam dandi), Khaddi or Sarhul dance, Phagu, Jadur, jagra, Matha, Benja Nalna (wedding dance) and Chali (courtyard dance).<ref name="auto"/>

===Marriage tradition===
Marriage among Kurukhs is usually arranged by the parents. The parents negotiate a bride price, after which the wedding can take place. On the wedding day, the groom arrives with his friends to the bride's house, and they hold a dance. A ''pandal'' is constructed in front of the bride's father's house, and the bride and groom stand on a stone, under which is grain above a plough yoke. A cloth is then thrown over the couple, who are doubly screened by the groom's friends. Then the ''sindoordaan'' is done: the groom applies ''sindoor'' to the bride's forehead, which is sometimes returned. Afterwards, water is poured over the couple and they return to a separate area of the house to change. When they are emerged, they are considered married. During this entire time, the rest of the party continue to dance.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Hewitt|first=J. F.|date=April 1893|title=Art. VII.–The Tribes and Castes of Bengal, by H. H. Risley. Vols. I. and II. Ethnographic Glossary, Vols. I. and II. Anthropometric Data|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0035869x00022395|journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland|volume=25|issue=2|pages=237–300|doi=10.1017/s0035869x00022395|issn=0035-869X}}</ref>

=== Dress ===
[[File:Oraon House at 'State Tribal Fair-2020' Bhubaneswar,India.jpg|thumb|Oraon House at 'State Tribal Fair-2020' Bhubaneswar, India]]At the turn of the 20th century, Kurukh men wore a loincloth tied around the hips, while women less influenced by other communities would wear a cloth reaching to just above the knee, covering the chest.<ref name=":1" /> Today, women traditionally a wear thick cotton sari with detailed stitched borders of purple or red thread. Traditional tattoos include elaborate symmetrical patterns around their forearms, ankles, and chest. Men wear a thick cloth with similar detailed borders as a [[dhoti]] or [[lungi]].<ref name=":0" />

=== Livelihood ===
Originally, the Oraons relied on the forest and its goods for an economic livelihood. Unlike many other communities of Jharkhand which practice ''jhum'', the Kurukh community uses plough agriculture. At the turn of the 20th century however, due to the policies of the [[British Raj|British colonial government]], most of the tribe worked as agricultural labourers for the ''[[Zamindar]]s'' on their own lands.<ref name=":1" /> However, recently many have become settled agriculturists, while others became migrant workers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Human: The Definitive Visual Guide|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2004|isbn=0-7566-0520-2|editor-last=Winston|editor-first=Robert|location=New York|pages=439}}</ref>
==Religion==
{{Pie chart|thumb=right|label2=[[Sarna sthal|Sarnaism]]|color4=Red|color3=Blue|color2=Yellow|color1=Orange|label4=[[Animism]]|label3=[[Christianity]]|label1=[[Hinduism]]|value1=36|label5=Others{{ref label|naming|i|}}|value4=1|footer={{!}}{{note|naming}}'''Others''' includes [[Muslims]], [[Sikhs]] and [[Jains]].|value5=1|value3=30|value2=32|color5=Green}}
The Oraon follow their traditional religion ([[Sarnaism]]), which is based on nature worship. Some of the groups started following Sarnaism in a Hindu style, as the sects of the Bishnu Bhagats, Bacchinda Bhagats, Karmu Bhagats and Tana Bhagats. The Oraons have established several Sarna sects. Oraons worship Sun as biri (a name given for Dharmesh). Kurukhar also believe in Animism.

Most of population is [[Sarnaism|Sarna]], which is a religion that is indigenous to [[Adivasi]]s in the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]]. Sarna perform religious rituals under the shade of a sacred grove. They worship the sun as Biri and the moon as Chando, and call the earth Dharti Aayo (Earth as mother). Chando Biri are the words which are used in Sarna pujas. Dharmesh is their supreme almighty god.<ref>{{cite book|title=History and Culture of the Oraon Tribe : Some Aspects of Their Social Life|last=Ghosh|first=Abhik|publisher=Mohit|year=2003|isbn=81-7445-196-X|page=237}}</ref>

Kamru Bhagats (Oraon or Munda devotees) originated when Oraons acquired special powers after making a pilgrimage to [[Kamakhya]] in [[Assam]] to pay respect to [[Durga]].<ref>Jha, P. 41 ''India and Nepal''</ref>

The Tana Bhagat was formed by Oraon saints Jatra Bhagat and Turia Bhagat. Tana Bhagats opposed the taxes imposed on them by the British and staged a [[Satyagraha]] movement even before [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. All Tana Bhagats were followers of Gandhi during the Independence movement. Tana Bhagats still wear a khadi kurta, dhoti and Gandhi topi (cap) with tricoloured flag in their topi. All Tana Bhagats perform puja to the Mahadeo and the tricolour with a chakra symbol on it, which is fixed at their courtyard.

Among Christian Oraons, there are Roman Catholics and Protestants, the latter of which having several denominations.

==In popular culture==

In 1957, film-maker [[Ritwik Ghatak]] shot a preparatory test film named ''Oraon'' on the life of the [[Adivasi]]s of the [[Ranchi]] region in [[Jharkhand]] and on the Oraons of Rani Khatanga Village in Jharkhand.<ref>[http://ir.nmu.org.ua/bitstream/handle/123456789/133612/85b69f83ea77c6c93361a503b826c134.pdf?sequence=1 Cinema & I pg.116] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125040537/http://ir.nmu.org.ua/bitstream/handle/123456789/133612/85b69f83ea77c6c93361a503b826c134.pdf?sequence=1 |date=25 November 2015 }}</ref>

== Notable people ==
*[[Budhu Bhagat]], freedom fighter
*[[Jatra Bhagat]], freedom fighter and social reformist
*[[Sudarshan Bhagat]], Member of Parliament
*[[Albert Ekka]], recipient of India's highest wartime gallantry award [[Param Vir Chakra]].
*[[Deep Grace Ekka]], Indian hockey player
*[[Renee Kujur]], model
*[[Santiuse Kujur]], MP of [[Assam]]
*[[Birendra Lakra]], Indian hockey player
*[[Provat Lakra]], Football player of [[West Bengal]]
*[[Sunita Lakra]], Indian hockey player
*[[Madhu Mansuri Hasmukh|Madhu Mansuri]], singer and activist
*[[Nirmal Minz]], Scholar
*[[Lilima Minz]], Indian hockey player
*[[Jual Oram]], [[Ministry of Tribal Affairs]], India
*[[Dinesh Oraon]], is an Indian politician currently serving as speaker of Jharkhand legislative assembly and a leader of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] from Jharkhand
*[[Kartik Oraon]], Member of Parliament, [[Lok Sabha]]
*[[Rameshwar Oraon]], former IPS officer and politician
*[[Simon Oraon]], environmentalist & [[Padma Shri]] awardee
*[[Simon Tigga]], politician
*[[Dilip Tirkey]], MP of [[Rajya SabhaDa]] for [[Odisha]]
*[[Ignace Tirkey]], hockey player
*[[Lazarus Barla|Lazrus Barla]], Hockey player
*[[Biju Toppo]], documentary filmmaker
*[[Namita Toppo]], Indian hockey player
*[[Telesphore Toppo]], Cardinal
*[[Sonajharia Minz]], vice-chancellor to the [[Sido Kanhu Murmu University]]
*(Dasarath Tirkey)politician. MP of LokSabha

==See also==
* [[Kharia people]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://kurukhworld.com/portray/social,%20culture%20&%20economical%20dimension/index.html kurukhworld.com]
* [http://www.sinlung.com/ Sinlung] Sinlung - Indian tribes
{{Ethnic groups in Bangladesh}}
{{Bhutanese society}}
{{Tribes of Jharkhand}}
{{Scheduled tribes in Odisha}}
{{Scheduled tribes of India}}

''This article includes material from the 1995 [[public domain]] [[Library of Congress Country Studies|Library of Congress Country Study]] on India.''
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ethnic groups in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Dravidian peoples]]
[[Category:Tribes of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Social groups of Odisha]]
[[Category:Social groups of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Social groups of Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Social groups of Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Social groups of Delhi]]
[[Category:Adivasi]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Odisha]]