| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 263,178[1] (2011 census) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| West Bengal | 159,404[1] |
| Odisha | 54,408[1] |
| Jharkhand | 32,786[1] |
| Bihar | 16,580 |
| Languages | |
| Regional languages • Koda | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism • Traditional religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Munda people | |
TheKora (also known asKuda,Kura,Kaora,Dhangar andDhanger),[2] are an ethnic group found in the Indian states ofWest Bengal,Odisha,Jharkhand, and the Bangladeshi division ofRajshahi.[3][4][5][failed verification] The 2011 census showed their population to be around 260,000. They are classified as aScheduled Tribe by the Indian government.[1]
The tribe's nameKora and its alternate spellings are possibly originated from Mundari word for earthworks "Koda" .[2]
It is speculated that they are an off shoot ofMunda tribe.[3] Risley (1894) classified them as a "Hinduised" caste. The Kora are noted for their traditional skills and primary occupation in various earth works such as cutting soil and digging tanks. In course of time they also been engaged inCatechu-making as a professions. This is one of the origins of their alternative namesKhaira orKhayra. Now most of them are in farming.[4]
The tribe is divided into several endogamous groups. The Kora of Odisha claim that they belong to the Suryavansi group while Koras of Santhal Parganas claim to be Nagwanshi.[4][2] They are further sub-divided into a number of exogamous septs calledgotras such as Kaich, Mankad, Khapur, Dhan, Nun, Adower, Nag, Maghi, Prodhan, Bagha, Bahera, etc. These are further divided into patriarchal lineages.[4]
The Kora mainly speakBengali in West Bengal and Jharkhand andOdia in Odisha. Only a small number still speak their originalKoda language, which belongs to theMunda family.
Kora culture follows a "cline," where those who live further east follow more Hindu customs, while those further west follow more traditionally tribal customs.
The Kora family structure is mostly nuclear. Marriage with same exogamousgotra is prohibited. They arepatrilineal andpatrilocal. Whilepolygyny is permissible in the Kora society, most marriages are monogamous. At the turn of the 20th century, most Koras in West Bengal practiced infant marriage and had strong taboos around premarital sex, while those of Chota Nagpur practiced adult marriage and had less stringent taboos. Those living in Bankura had a "transitional" set of marriage customs, where adult marriage was the norm but premarital sex was severely stigmatized. Marriage by negotiation is the most common type of marriage. Howevercross-cousin marriage, juniorlevirate, juniorsororate, marriage by elopement, by capture are also allowed. Divorce, remarriage of widows, widowers and divorcees are also permitted. The groom has to pay the bride price is cash.[4] In Chota Nagpur, the tribe follows Munda customs, while in West Bengal they follow traditional Hindu customs.
They cremate their dead in case of natural death and burial in cases of unnatural deaths.[6] They have a traditional village councilpanchayat headed by Majhi who is assisted by Parmanik. It plays a central role in ensuring conformity to their social norms and traditions.[4] The tribe overwhelmingly follow Hindu religion. Animist beliefs are also followed by the members. Other religions are followed by very small number of members.[7][4]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)| Indo-Aryans | |
|---|---|
| Austro-Asiatic | |
| Dravidian | |
| Tibeto-Burman | |
| Others | |
| Immigrants and expatriates | |
