Adivasi mela witnesses huge footfall

The fifteen-day long tribal fair that has been going on at the Exhibition Ground has been providing the city dwellers a platform to know about the lifestyle, culture, tradition and practices of various tribes residing in Odisha. It also provides a chance for city people to buy authentic tribal and forest products from the native people.

The tribal fair or Adivasi mela that used to be held at Adivasi ground has been shifted to the Exhibition Ground from last year due to traffic issues. The fair has been attracting large number of people from Bhubaneswar as well as from nearby areas of the capital city.
For the Adivasi Mela- 2020, the entire fair ground has been divided into various zones like- tribal village, tribal SHG zone, tribal haat, tribal art and crafts, tribal food bazaar, tribal dance arena, and tribal art zone. As many as 262 stalls have been erected in the fair ground. As many as 24 tribal huts have been made and the tribal lifestyle, practices and household equipment are showcased there.
“Tribal fair gives us an opportunity to buy some authentic stuffs. So, we keep waiting for this festival that starts on January 26 and goes on for fifteen days. Besides, it also provides an opportunity for kids who are born and raised in the city to witness tribal life and culture,” said Soumyasucharita Nayak, a teacher.