Superstitious Beliefs and Myths of the Kutia Kandhas of Kandhamal District of Odisha in India: A Psychosocial Analysis

Abstract

The aim of present article is to highlight the superstitious beliefs and myths prevalent among the people of Kutia Kandha tribe of Odisha in India. One of India's largest native races, the Kutia Kandhas, existed before the Dravidian and Vedic Aryan founders of the prehistoric civilization. But in the deep jungle and highland forest of the Kandhamal area of Odisha, they lived unharmed for countless years. The Kutia Kandhas hold superstitious and fable-based beliefs. Geographically speaking, the plains and hills were divided clearly by the boundary of the Kandhas' inhabited areas. For instance, there were no foothills or drops to the plains in the east, west, north, or southeast of the Kandhamal district of Odisha in Eastern India.The existence of widespread myths, superstitions, and negative cultural beliefs is shown to be a serious obstacle to the enforcement of the law and the defense of the rights of Kutia Kandha tribes. The article proposes education and awareness-raising as a tactic in tribal society. The fundamental normative criteria that determine what is allowed or due to persons within a certain legal framework, social norm, or ethical philosophy are known as rights. Legal, social, or ethical freedom or entitlement principles preserve rights. For the writing of this article, the authors have used both the primary and secondary sources.