Dongria

The Dongria Kondh saree is a remarkable example of Indian handloom and a tribal masterpiece that has gained widespread recognition. While it initially gained attention due to the 2013 mining controversy involving Vedanta Resources, today, it is equally renowned for its exquisitely beautiful sarees and shawls crafted by the tribal weavers.

The women of the Dongria Kondh tribe are the weavers, and weaving is the most common form of art produced in the community. They typically use coarse cotton to weave sarees and shawls in vivid, bright colors, embellishing them with designs featuring their supreme deity, Niyamraja, the God of the mountains. The tribe is secluded and hidden in the forests of the Niyamgiri range, so most of the weaving is done by hand.

These organic Dongria Kondh sarees are considered a rare and precious piece of art, exclusive to the community and cherished by every woman who owns one.