Comparative Study of Kudmi Mahto Communities of Jharkhand and Onge Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
1. Introduction India is home to diverse ethnic groups with distinct cultural, social, and economic characteristics. The Kudmi Mahto community of Jharkhand and the Onge tribe of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands represent two unique indigenous groups with different historical backgrounds, lifestyles, and socio-economic conditions. While the Kudmi Mahto community primarily engages in agriculture and has a rich cultural heritage linked to the agrarian economy, the Onge tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) with a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle. This comparative study explores their history, socio-cultural structure, economic activities, and challenges. 2. Historical Background 2.1 Kudmi Mahto Community The Kudmi Mahto (also spelled Kurmi) are an agrarian community mainly found in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal . They are believed to have migrated from central India and settled in the Chotanagpur plateau, engaging in agriculture. Kudmis pla...