Introduction / History

The Kolta community is distributed in the Balangir, Sambalpur and Sundargarh districts of Odisha. There are a number of clans among the Kolta such as Balabhadra, Kashyapa, Bharadwaj and Ganesh. They use surnames such as Bhoi, Biswal, Padhan, Sahu and Samal.

The Kolta speak the Odia language and use the Oriya script. They are also conversant with Hindi and Bengali.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kolta are a land owning community who are mainly engaged in cultivation, cattle and goat rearing. Rice is their staple cereal. Some of them are teachers, engineers and doctors.

They perform marriage rituals at the bride's home. The Kolta allow for divorce and remarriage. They cremate their dead. The eldest son inherits authority in the family when the father dies.

They play musical instruments like dhole or drum, ektara (a string instrument) and the flute.

Social control is exercised by the community councils such as the Jati Sabha and Mahasabha.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Koltas profess Hinduism and worship Ganesh, Lakshmi, Samaleswari, Patneswari and other deities. They observe the Chait Parab, Makara and Nuakhia festivals. They share the same religious shrines with other communities.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kolta people need to put their hope in the King of kings, realizing that he is the one who gives them worth and dignity.

Prayer Items

Pray for the salvation of the Kolta people and that God may send many loving Christian workers to work among them and meet their spiritual and physical needs.

Pray for the Christian media to reach and touch them through their regional forms and language.

Scripture Prayers for the Kolta in India.

References

India Missions Association, Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission