Dalijoda Adivasi Mahotsav Revives Tribal Heritage on Birsa Munda’s 150th Anniversary

Cuttack: The 150th birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda was commemorated with great enthusiasm at the small Munda settlement of Berna under Mangarajpur block near Choudwar on Saturday. The occasion marked the inaugural Dalijoda Adivasi Mahotsav, organised by Debjit Singh Deo of Kila Dalijoda in collaboration with the Odisha Adivasi Foundation.

The celebration, held at the Birsa Munda Ground in the village, drew a vibrant gathering of community members, guests, and cultural enthusiasts. Renowned historian and INTACH Co-convenor Anil Dhir graced the event as the chief guest, adding significance to the cultural festival. Village elders including Gaman Kala and Ram Hensa, along with international visitors staying at the homestay, also attended, lending a unique global touch to the celebrations.

The day-long programme showcased a range of traditional tribal games and culminated in a spirited tribal dance competition featuring six groups of various age categories. Accompanied by rhythmic indigenous music, the performances captivated the audience until dusk, offering an immersive glimpse into the rich tribal heritage of the region.

The Dalijoda Adivasi Mahotsav is part of a larger effort by Debjit Singh Deo and his wife, Namrata Singh Deo, who run the Kila Dalijoda Homestay. As part of their Responsible Tourism initiative, the couple aims to revive disappearing tribal practices and reinforce community pride in cultural identity. Through these efforts, they seek to preserve and promote the intangible heritage of the Munda tribe.

Nestled near Choudwar and embraced by the scenic Dalijoda Reserve Forest, the Kila Dalijoda Homestay is surrounded by several Munda settlements. The area continues to reflect a vibrant tribal lifestyle in its authentic form. The Munda community here traces its origins to Jharkhand, South Bengal, and northern Odisha. Their presence near Kila Dalijoda began in the 1930s, when two families were brought in by the erstwhile Raja of Purulia to settle around the royal hunting lodge. Over the last nine decades, this has expanded into a thriving population of nearly 1,000 Munda families, creating a distinctive demographic and cultural imprint around the homestay.

Committed to strengthening this cultural bond, Debjit Singh Deo announced that the Dalijoda Adivasi Mahotsav will be organised every year on this historic day. The initiative, he said, aims to inspire future generations of the tribal community to take pride in their heritage and safeguard their traditions for years to come.