Oraons

The Oraons, also known as Uraon or Kurukh, are an indigenous ethnic group of South Asia, primarily in eastern India. They constitute one of the largest tribal communities in the country. The core population is in Jharkhand, with substantial numbers in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal; smaller communities are found in Bihar and neighboring states.

The Oraon speak Kurukh, a Dravidian language, though many are bilingual in regional languages such as Hindi or Odia. The name Oraon often refers to the people and their language; Kurukh is sometimes used to designate the language itself. They are designated as a Scheduled Tribe in several Indian states.

Traditionally, Oraon society is organized around clans and exogamous marriage; they adhere to a nature-based belief system known as Sarna, with ceremonies tied to agriculture and the seasons; key festivals include Sarhul (spring) and Karma. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, many Oraons adopted Hinduism or Christianity, yielding diverse religious practices and syncretic rituals.

Economically, farming and forest resources have been central; shifting cultivation and collection of forest produce are common in pastoral areas. In modern times, members work in agriculture, mining, trade, and public services. They face challenges common to indigenous communities, including land rights, access to education and health, and impacts of industrial development.

The Oraons are a distinct linguistic and cultural group with a long history in eastern India, maintaining traditional practices while adapting to contemporary economic and social changes.