Traditional foods of tribal households of southern Odisha.
Abha Singh, Sadangi B. N.
Author Affiliation: Directorate of Research on Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Asian Journal of Home Science 7 : 567-570
Abstract : A study was conducted to know the traditional foods of tribal families, present dietary pattern and major food combinations of tribal diet in Koraput and Rayagada district of Odisha. A total of 240 households were interviewed to know the daily, weekly, monthly and occasional diet pattern of tribal families. Cereal/millet was the main source of energy and also protein in their diet because consumption of pulses or non-vegetarian food was very less. Tamarind had a great role in their diet as daily they were preparing charu. Average consumption of tamarind in each family was about 1-2 quintals per year which they collect from forest. Seasonal foods were very important for tribals and were taken only during special season. It is prominently observed that tribal households have some traditional foods and food habits which are very much detrimental to the nutritional security for example-eating mango seed kernel powder, tamarind seed powder, poisonous mushroom, and rotten meat etc. may create health related problems and sometimes fatal situations. Massive awareness programmes and provision of subsidized food especially during the period of food scarcity would be more appropriate.