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Which tribal peoples of Odisha traditionally speak Munda languages?

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Puri: Jagannatha temple — Odisha Jagannatha temple, Puri, Odisha, India.

In Odisha, the tribal peoples who traditionally speak Munda languages—a branch of the Austroasiatic language family—include several distinct groups. Historically, the most prominent among these are the Santhal, Savara, and Juang peoples.1

The Munda languages spoken in the region are categorized into different subfamilies:
* North Munda: Includes languages such as Santhali, Mundari, Bhumij, and Ho.2
* South Munda: Includes the Central Munda group (such as Kharia and Juang) and the Koraput Munda group (including Gutob, Remo, Sora/Savara, Juray, and Gorum).2

While these groups have traditionally maintained their own languages, it is important to note that by the early 21st century, many tribal peoples in Odisha have adopted Odia as their primary language due to ongoing processes of assimilation and social change.1