The Oraon Tribe

A major portion of India lives in its Tribes. These tribes are the living example of
how life was in the earlier days. These show what were the difficulties man had
to face before the advent of machine and technology.

The Oraon or Kurukh tribe inhabits various states across central and eastern
India. Oran is a Dravidian tribal group, mainly settled in the states of Bihar and
Jharkhand. Oran is also known by the name 'Korakh', meaning 'man'. This tribe
is believed to be an offshoot of the Proto-Australoid. They speak Kurukh, similar
in many ways to the Munda Language.

The Orans or Oraons are the most progressive tribes of all the tribes found in
India. They are the ones who are into education and places like Churches. A
number of educated Oraons have settled down in metros like Kolkata, Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai and many other cities of India including Patna, Bhopal,
Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Allahabad, and Lucknow. Some have even settled
abroad in the US and Europe. Today a large number of Oraons live in
Jharkhand, Orissa and parts of Chhatisgarh, Bihar, West Bengal.

Kartik Oraon, who was a highly educated Oraon, an Indian Congress leader and
former state communication minister of India, Albert Ekka, the Parameter Chakra
awardees, and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ranchi, Cardinal Telesphore
Placidus Toppo and Dilip Tirkey, former Captain of the Indian Hockey Team are
all Oraons. People of this comunity have shown exceptional makes as compared
to people of other tribes.
 Oran P Smith

Oran P Smith, an Oran of the Oran tribe is the President of South Carolina
Business Community and a Board Member of Costal Carolina University. It
clearly reflects how far the people of the Progressive Tribe have reached,
something which sets them apart from other tribes.

Traditionally, Oraons depended on the forest and farms for their ritual and
economic livelihood, but in recent times they have become mainly settled
agriculturalists. Small numbers of Oraons have immigrated to the northeastern
part of India, where they are mainly employed in tea estates.

People
The Kurukh or Oraons are the people best known in many parts of India as tribe
of Chota Nagpur. The Oraons were for many generations settled in the plateau of
Chhotanagpur. As per Oraon folk, Oraon were living in the Rohtasgarh fort for
many centuries. The Turks wanted to capture the fort and they tried to fight with
Oraon, however, eleven times they were defeated by the Oraon. Finally they
captured the fort. After losing the Rohtasgarh, Oraon migrated to the
Chotanagpur plateau.

Culture
The Oraon language, Kurukh, belongs to the Dravidian language, and is most
closely related to Brahui and Malto (Paharia). Kurukh language is being taught in
Ranchi University in Jharkhand. A Kurukh Literary Society has been formed after
the first Kurukh Conference held in Ranchi in October, 2006.

The Oraon people have a rich range of folk songs, dances and tales, as well as
traditional musical instruments. Both men and women participate in dance, which
are performed at social events and festivals. Mandar, Nagara and kartal are the
main musical instruments.

A sizable numbers of Oraon have immigrated to the northeastern part of India,

where they are mainly employed in tea estates of West Bengal, Assam, and
Tripura. A sizable numbers of Oraon work as laborers in North Bihar and in
Nepal. Many have settled down in the lower part of Bhutan (Samchi district).
The majority of Oraon write their title along with their name. However, those who
follow Tana Bhagat principle or Sarna Dharma write the Bhagat in place of their
gotra. Many prefer to write Oraon as a second name in place of a gotra. Majority
of oraon write their title as(Kerketta, Xalxo, Xaxa, Xess, Tirkey, Toppo, Tigga,
Kujur, Minz, Ekka Barla, Barwa, Indwar or Ind, etc) with their name.

Many Oraon who have converted to Chritianity have opted new names in place
of gotra like some Toppo clan writes their second name (gotra) as Marjee. Oraon
prefer to marry an oraon only. However, Christian Oraon often marry other caste
and community (Munda, Kharia, Santal) due to influence of Christianity.
However, Sarna Oraon prefer marriage with a oraon only with full traditional
fashion.

Religion

The Oraon Adivasi followed the 'Sarna' Dharam (Sarna religion) but due to the
influence of Hinduism and Christianity some of the groups started following
Sarna in Hindu style, as Bishnu Bhagats, Bacchinda Bhagats, Karmu Bhagats
and Tana Bhagats; others accepted Christianity. The Oraons have established
several Sarna sects. Some belong to the 'Bishnu Bhagats' and 'Bacchidan
Bhagats' of Lord Vishnu while the 'Kamru Bhagats' and 'Tana Bhagats' are
devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. Oraon believe in nature and its
power. According to Oraon's philosophy the whole world (Universe) is regulated
by a superpower that is 'Dharmesh'in Kurukh which simply points to the almighty.
The Dharti (the earth), Chando (the moon) and Biri (the Sun) are its
representative divine powers, which are the prime sources of supernatural
powers. Oraon's names and sects are often similar as those of Caste Hindu of
Indian society. The religion of Oraon is based on their belief in nature and its
supernatural power. Whereas the bases of Hinduism are four Vedas and four
Vernas, The Gotras system of Oraon is based on natural totem systems. Oraon
do not follow a rigid caste system. Oraons worship Mahaedeo (a name given for
Dharmesh). Oraon believe every thing in nature has its own deity or god.

The Modern Orans