Dongria Kondh Community

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently requested an Action Taken Report from the Chief Secretary of Odisha regarding the critical living conditions faced by over 10,000 families belonging to the Dongria Kondh community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). The concerns raised include inadequate access to essential services and basic amenities.

Who are the Dongria Kondh?

The Dongria Kondh are recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and are indigenous to the Niyamgiri hills, which span across the Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in Odisha.
Their belief system is rooted in polytheistic animism, with a strong reverence for the hills and forests, which they consider sacred deities. The name “Dongria” is derived from dongar, meaning “hill,” and they refer to themselves as Jharnia, meaning “guardians of streams.”

They trace their lineage to Niyam Raja, a mythological god-king believed to be the creator and protector of the Niyamgiri hills. The community depends heavily on the forested slopes and hilltop streams for their livelihood.

Dongria Kondh culture is vividly expressed in their traditional art, such as the triangular motifs seen on village shrines dedicated to various deities of the land, agriculture, and forest, including Niyam Raja.

They are also known for their distinct appearance—women often wear multiple earrings and nose rings, while boys typically wear two nose rings. The community lacks a centralized religious or political leader; instead, leadership is decentralized, with each village or clan having its own heads and ceremonial figures like the male beju and female bejuni priests.

Their primary languages, Kuyi and Kuvi, are linguistically unrelated to the state’s official language, Odia. The Dongria Kondh sustain themselves through the collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and practice podu (slash-and-burn) cultivation. They are traditionally known for their horticultural practices.