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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Crisis of tribal identity under bureaucratic control: Parab (2025)
Authors
Balaram Swain
Abstract
Tribal identity is associated with its
distinct culture. Tribal culture and identity belong to a particular land, just
as the Paraba tribal festival belongs to Koraput district, Odisha, and
represents the identity of Koraput’s tribal culture. The study examines how
state machinery has led to the disappearance of local tribal identity from the
Paraba festival in 2025. Using qualitative research approaches, including field
observation, interviews with tribal performers and community members, and
analysis of festival programming and publicity, the study analyses how the
involvement of non-indigenous artists and non-indigenous cultural expressions
sidelines Koraput tribal culture, reducing space for local performers. Our
paper finds that Paraba has transformed from a tribal identity–based cultural
festival into a bureaucratically managed programme. This transformation shows
how state machinery renders tribal authenticity invisible and displaces tribal
identity from Paraba.
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Pages:47-50
How to cite this article:
Balaram Swain "Crisis of tribal identity under bureaucratic control: Parab (2025)". International Journal of Sociology and Political Science, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 47-50
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