roads to their villages, cycles and even motor bikes for transport, transistor sets and wrist watches. The Oraons are one of the most pogressive tribles. They make use of chemical fetilisers, pesticides, improved varites of seeds and moders techniques of agricultre.

Economically better off than most of the others they are not shackled by debts and can afford a better quality of life with good approach roads to their villages, cycles and even motor bikes for transport, transistor sets and wrist watches.

Their social life is remarkable in that they accept widow remarriage and permit divorce by either partner on goruonds of adultery, bad temper and, of all things, alziness!

The Oraon language, Kurukh, belongs to the Dravidian family, and is most closely related to Brahui and Paharia.

The Oraon people have a rich and vast range of folk songs, dances and tales, as well as a traditional musical instruments. Both men and women participate in dance, which are performed at social events and festivals.