Abstract

This study explores the complex interrelationship lies inbetween rituals and the formation of gender identity in contemporary contexts. Gender and ritual are interconnected aspects of indigenous culture that influence and shape the human experience as a whole. The paperexplained the holistic discourse on the remarkable participation of Bejuni (female Shamanin) in fairs and festivals in Dongria Kandha society. This paper examined the symbiotic relationship between gender identity and rituals within the Dongria Kandha community of Odisha, India. The study was conducted among the Dongria Kandha community of Bissamcuttack Block, Rayagada District, Odisha. The Dongria Kandha is one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) inhabiting in the Rayagada district of Odisha. The objectives of the paper are to highlight the life and culture of Dongria Kandha as well as the significance of gender roles in rituals within their culture. The present paper seeks to analyze the cultural empowerment dimension of gender identity among Dongria Kandha. The data had been collected from both primary and secondary sources. The paper has been concluded with a broader field of gender identity by offering insights into how gender and ritual contributed to the cultural identity of Dongria Kandha. The exploration of the role of rituals in shaping gender identity within contemporary perspectives reveals a dynamic and intricate interplay between cultural practices and the construction of individual and collective gender identities. The Dongria Kandha women have made a tremendous contribution to their culture, showing the autonomy of gender. From the perspectives of feminists and gender, the Dongria Kandha women enjoy high status in socio-cultural life, which shows their gender identity within society as a whole.

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