The PG 3rd Semester students of the School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights, KISS-DU, visited the Odisha State Tribal Museum on 21st November 2025. This visit was conducted under the guidance of faculty members Dr. Madhusmita Sahoo, Dr. Maitri Padhi, Dr. Sasmita Padhi, Mr. Alok Singh Bhoi, along with two research scholars.
It was a one-day educational and exposure-based tour to understand the ethnographic and tribal heritage of Odisha. The primary objective of the visit was to observe and study the various galleries showcasing artifacts representing the cultural, social and economic life of different tribal communities of Odisha. Special focus was given to the traditional Tribal Dresses and Ornaments Gallery, Textile Gallery, Agricultural Implements Gallery, and the Musical Instruments Gallery. Students also aimed to identify the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and understand their ethnographic profiles, livelihood practices, and subsistence strategies. Through close observation of the displayed artefacts, students developed an understanding of the similarities and differences among the cultural materials of various tribal groups. The visit enriched their knowledge of tribal material culture, lifestyle patterns, socio-economic structures, and the rich cultural heritage associated with each community. In addition to the indoor galleries, students visited the open-air museum, which exhibits traditional settlement structures of different tribal groups of Odisha. They observed the architectural patterns of tribal houses, their functional uses, and the cultural significance associated with these structures from time immemorial. The museum’s dedicated sections on tribal religious practices further helped students gain insights into the socio-religious beliefs followed by diverse tribal communities. Outcome of the Visit The students of PG, Semester–III actively engaged throughout the visit and explored each gallery with curiosity and enthusiasm. They documented their observations and captured photographs for academic reference. This educational tour has been considered one of the significant school-level academic activities of 2025, contributing meaningfully to their understanding of tribal studies.
