Sabar people

This article is about the ex-criminal tribes of northern Odisha and south West Bengal. For Munda ethnic group of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, see Sora people.
Not to be confused with Sabir people.
Sabara
Regions with significant populations
Odisha516,402
West Bengal108,707
Bangladesh2,000
Languages
Lodhi
Religion
Majority
Hinduism (99.7%)
Minority
Buddhism (0.2%) and Animism (0.1%)[1]
Related ethnic groups
Mundas, Ho, Santhal and other Mundari speaking people

The Sabar people (also Shabar and Saora) are one of the Adivasi of Munda ethnic group tribe who live mainly in Odisha and West Bengal. During the colonial period, they were classed as one of the 'criminal tribes' under Criminal Tribes Act 1871, and suffer from social stigma and ostracism in modern times.[2][3]

Also known as Saora, the Sabar tribe finds mention in the Hindu epic Mahabharata,[4] while in some parts of East Singhbhum district mainly in Musabani, they are known as in Kariya.[5] Noted writer and activist Mahasweta Devi is known for working with these forest tribals.[6]

This reclusive tribe is found primarily in Odisha[7] and in Midnapore District of West Bengal.

  1. ^ "Sabar in India". Joshua Project.
  2. ^ Dilip D'Souza on the Sabar tribe Rediff.com, 16 October 1999.
  3. ^ Accused Of Being Accursed by Dilip D'Souza, Rediff.com, 10 June 1999.
  4. ^ Orissa Tribes bharatonline.com'.
  5. ^ Sabar Tribe india9.com.
  6. ^ Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Ma - Mahashweta Devi Tehelka, 11 September 2004.
  7. ^ Sabar tribals go on ‘Bharat Darshan’ The Hindu, 27 February 2008.