Jyotiranjan Gudia – A Proud Representative of the Didayi Tribe

Jyotiranjan Gudia 6/28/2025 03:27:00 PM

 Jyotiranjan Gudia – A Proud Representative of the Didayi Tribe

A Proud Representative of the Didayi Tribe

In this powerful image, Jyotiranjan Gudia is seen holding a flag card proudly displaying the name "DIDAYI" in both English and Odia (ଦିଦାୟି). This moment symbolizes his deep-rooted pride in his indigenous identity and his continuous efforts to represent and uplift his community.

The Didayi tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), primarily resides in the Malkangiri district of Odisha. Known for their rich cultural heritage, close-knit social structure, and traditional political systems, the Didayis maintain a deep connection with nature and their ancestral customs. However, in the face of modern influences and administrative changes, their traditions face various challenges that scholars like Jyotiranjan are actively working to document and preserve.

Jyotiranjan Gudia, the first Ph.D. scholar from the Didayi tribe, is currently pursuing his doctoral research at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar. His work focuses on the continuity and changes in the traditional political systems of the Didayi tribe, bringing academic attention to the unique governance, leadership roles (like Naik, Chalan, Pujari, and Dishari), and the impact of modernity on tribal customs.

By holding the Didayi placard in this photograph, Jyotiranjan symbolically carries the voice, pride, and legacy of his people-  a true representation of tribal resilience and educational empowerment.

Jyotiranjan Gudia

Posted by Jyotiranjan Gudia

Jyotiranjan Gudia was born on May 1, 1997, in Muduliguda village of Malkangiri district, Odisha. He belongs to a tribal community and has a deep connection with the culture, traditions and social systems of indigenous people. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar. His research focuses on the traditional political system of the Didayi tribe, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Odisha. His doctoral thesis, titled "Continuity and Changes of Traditional Political System of Didayi Tribe in Odisha: A Case Study of Malkangiri District," explores how traditional governance systems have evolved in response to modern influences. Jyotiranjan has conducted extensive fieldwork in 12 villages of Malkangiri, studying traditional leadership roles such as Naik, Chalan, Pujari and Dishari. Committed to preserving tribal identity and knowledge, he continues to work toward empowering indigenous communities through research and advocacy.

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