By: BEDAPRAKASH NARAYAN TANTY, RASHMI PRAMANIK, ARUN KUMAR ACHARYA
The Paudi-Bhuyan tribe is well known in the Sundargarh district of Odisha. They primarily live on hill slopes and practice mixed cultivation, generally known as Poduchasa (shifting cultivation). As hill dwellers, they depend on forest resources and cultivate crops on slopes. These foods, including paddy, millets, and cereals, are not only consumed but also sold and exchanged in the local village market to purchase other necessary foods. On the slopes, rainwater flows down to the earth, causing the agricultural land to become dry, so they cultivate crops that can sustain in drylands. Various traditional varieties of paddy, millets, and cereals have been cultivated by their ancestors in this region. They grow and consume natural foods, which help maintain good health. Their food is closely associated with nature, their ancestors, and the deity they worship. Various festivals and ceremonies are organized in the community to honor food and protect their land. Offering food to ancestors and goddesses is a sign of respect. Focusing on the traditional knowledge of the community in food processing and preservation methods, this study explores the cultural importance of food practices within the tribal community. The research was conducted in five Paudi-Bhuyan-dominated villages in the Lahunipara block of Sundargarh district, Odisha. As part of the qualitative research, firsthand data were gathered through interviews, scheduled case studies, focus group discussions, and participant observation of community events. The qualitative data were systematically organized and used in the report writing process.
