Bhubaneswar, Jan 26: The Adivasi Mela (Annual tribal fair) 2024 began here in Odisha on Friday showcasing a variety of tribal cultures, traditions, anthropological narratives, and products from different parts of the State.

A spectacular display of tribal culture on Day 1 of #AdivasiMela2024 at Adivasi Exhibition Ground near Sishu Bhawan Square. The Mela will run till Feb 5, during which 39 cultural troupes,drawn through #ITDAs & other development agencies supporting PVTGs,will participate.@roopars pic.twitter.com/n88ivXULIF
— ST & SC Development Department (@scstdevdept) January 26, 2024

ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Minister, Jagannath Saraka inaugurated the 11-day fair at the Adivasi Exhibition Ground in the city.

Tribal talents from various fields were also honoured with a cash reward of Rs 10,000 and a citation as part of the ‘Adivasi Pratibha Samman’ programme.

The tribal fair has been held in the city since 1954, after starting in Cuttack in 1951.

The fair is a sort of live museum for city residents as tribal communities from across the state showcase their lifestyle and culture. They make temporary huts and sell agriculture products such as spices, rice, cereals, minor forest produce and handicrafts.

Members of different tribal communities set up a village. This year, the huts were made belonging to Kutia Kandha, Santhal, Paudi Bhuyan, Hill Khadia and Mankirdia, Juanga Munda, Gadaba, Dongria Kandha, Lanjia Saora, Bonda and Chuktia Bhunjia communities.

Over the next 11 days, 39 cultural troupes from various districts, sponsored through Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and Micro Project Agencies (MPAs) for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups will perform in the cultural pogramme of the fair, officials said.

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