The Oraon Community

The Oraons
The Oraons also found in different literature as Urao or Orao is the second largest Adivasi community of North-western rgion of Bangaldesh. The Oraons are concentrated in mosto of the districts in the North Bengal. There are also some Oraons among the tea communities in the Northwestern part of the country. According to 1991 census the number of the oraons was 8,216.but a survey of a Oraon community organization in 1998 estimated their number at approximately 85,000.The Oraons speak krokh and Sadri. Their languages originated from Dravidian language family. Most of the Oraons retain the Oraon religion but some of them have become Christians. The Oraons depend of agriculture. Toppo, Tirki, Bandra , kujur, Minj, Back, Baroar, kishpotta, kachhua(Ekka) and kawa(Khakha) are some of th calns(gotra) of the Oraons. The Oraons cannot marry in the same clan or Gotra. The Oraons have a very colorful an diversified cultural heritage.
Some Oraon Festivals

Fagua Festival:
Bangla Falgun (February-March) month is the first month of the Oraon calendar. Summer starts from this month. In this day they set branches of different trees on the ground and hang some hay on these branches, then they set fire on the hay. The Oraons think that this festival symbolizes the death of Mother Earth.
Sarhul Festival:
This ceremony is celebrated in the Bangla month of Chaitra(March-April). The Oraon arrange this festival in case of rain or intense drought. In Chaitra, if there is want of rain, pitchers filled with water, are kept in the village heads’ houses. As the Oraon girls come dancing to these houses, the water is poured on them. The Oraons believe that this act will bring the rains. If more rain is desired, the Pahan(the village head) and his wife sit beside each other and vermilion is smeared on their forehead. This is a symbolic marriage of earth and sky.


Karam Festival:
Karam is a major festival of the Oraons. This festival is held in the Bangla month of Bhadra(July-August). To celebrate this festival, the Oraon cut a branch of a Karam tree and set it on the ground. Then they worship it with songs and dances. The Oraons believe that the Karm tree is equal to the protector.