Mankirdia in their conversion of religion in to Christianity

Abstract (English)

Mankirdia in their conversion of religion in to Christianity
Suprava Behera, Ph.D scholar
Abstract: The present study was undertaken among the Mankirdia tribe of Mayurbhanj district in the state of Odisha. Mankirdia tribe is one of the tribal who belongs to 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups of Odisha. This paper highlights the changing process of traditional religion to Christianity. This study is based on qualitative data thorough the observation,focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview and case study with villagers. The study is under taken among the Mankirdia village of Durdura, Kendumundi and Chattani of Mayurbhanj district. Data were collected randomly from both male and female of this village to understand tradition and the adoption of Christian religion. The findings of the study reveal that all the Mankirdia people are adopting Christianity except 5% of elder people like traditional shaman or his family members, elder men and women of the village. They are not accepting it because they want that some traditional knowledge must still exist in their community. 95% of people are adopting Christianity for alternative solution to improve their ways of living. This adoption creates some positive and negative impact in their life. Religion adoption is the factors to improve their economical, educational and social status but it is directly responsible for the transformation of their traditional culture, knowledge and belief system. All should protect the tradition of Mankirdia community because tradition is the identity for a community.
Key word: Religion, Mankirdia, Tradition and Christianity