tribes and temples in orissa:

markets

 

the weekly markets are the meeting points of different tribes, when they come from their villages to sell their products and buy provisions. for some of them, it is a several hours' walk from the village to the market. in some tribes, the women are clad in traditional dress (beads, necklaces, bangles, metal neck rings). others, more influenced by hindu mainstream culture, are in colorful sarees. the men walk with carrying rods, or sometimes bows and arrows. both men and women carry goods, but only the women carry pots and parcels on their heads.

 

a local market held every thursday, of the bonda and other tribes in ankadelli, near jeypore.

 

at the edge of the market, men and women sell liquor in metal pots. some of it is fermented palm tree sap, and there is also an alcoholic drink made from rice.

after finishing their commerce, people spend some time drinking, which makes them agressive and irritable. shortly afterwards, two drunken tribemen stopped us on the road with pointed bows and arrows, and demanded a hitchhike. we took them a kilometer or two, and then we turned another way.


the biggest tribal market, held every friday in rayagada district. not so many traditional dresses. the merchandise and the vendors are mixed: some are tribal people selling their agricultural products, others come from the city and sell semi-industrial provisions

local elections are near. taking advantage of the market gathering, a speaker for the congress party gives a speech from the top of a car.

 


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