A unique tale of Lanjia Saora tribe’s love for stone in Odisha’s Rayagada

Tribals always live in sync with the nature. They love every element of nature and their social life is encircled around those elements. They use those elements in their lifestyle and preserve those in the best ways.

One of the most primitive tribes of Odisha, Lanjia Saora from Gunupur block in Rayagada district has a fascinating love story with the stones. Stones are everything for these primitive tribes residing in Puttasingh, Shagada, Abada and Talana areas. Stones have become an inseparable part of their living and social lifestyle.

Only stones and stones could be seen in those hilly areas where the primitive tribes have been living for yore. The tribals have built everything in stone and the scenic beauty of the construction at those places often forces tourists to feel it as Shimla or Darjeeling.

Apart from their houses, the tribals have also constructed the boundaries of their lands with stones. They have also used stones in the best manner for irrigation purposes and to prevent soil erosion. The lifestyle of the tribals in these areas, intrinsic to stone, often attracts a large number of tourists.

“We have been using small and big stones to construct hour houses since ancient times. It’s impossible to make bricks in these hilly areas. But stones are abundantly available here. Hence, we have taken advantage of it to use stones in making boundaries of our lands for irrigation purposes and to prevent soil erosion,” said Sambara Dalabehera, a local resident.

Lanjia Saora tribals also love to make strong walls around their houses with small and big pieces of stones. Moreover, they make fencing using stones to dry different products that they collect from the forest. The stone fencing helps them and their products from the attack of wild animals.

“As our houses and lands are situated in hilly areas, it is very difficult to dig the soil for making fences. Hence, we use stones to make fences around our houses and lands,” said Ranjan Gamango, a local resident.

As per Asima Rao, the special officer of Lanjia Saora Tribal Development Department, the tribe uses nature in the best way for their living and culture.

“The Lanjia Saora tribe loves nature and works hard to preserve it in the best way. They know the art of setting up stones in a decorative manner to build houses and fences. In this way, they use the natural element available to them in the best way. It also adds beauty to their area,” said Rao.