Orissa state is a holy abode of quite a lot of tribal communities, which are quite ennobled in their culture and tradition. In fact in the state, these Sitha Kandha tribes mainly throng places like Phulbani, Koraput etc. Huge conglomeration is found in the Udayagiri area of the Ganjam district. The mother tongue of these tribes is Sitha Kandha , which is quite different from other languages that are prevalent here .
It belongs to the Dravidian language family. Some of the anthropologists` even love to refer this language in their alternative names like Kandh, Kondhi , Khond, Khondo, Kanda, Kodu , Kodulu, Kuinga, Kuy etc. Several dialects, namely, Khondi, Gumsai , too are widely spoken by these Sitha Kandha tribal populace.
Most of these Sitha Kandha tribes follow Christianity. In fact all the festivals, rites and customs related to this religion are being feted in proper spirit and enthusiasm. Apart from Christianity, some of the Sitha Kandha tribes too follow the customs and rites of their local religion.
