Sabar people
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Odisha | 516,402 |
| West Bengal | 108,707 |
| Bangladesh | 2,000 |
| Languages | |
| Lodhi • Bengali | |
| Religion | |
| Majority Hinduism Minority
| |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mundas, Ho, Santhal and other Mundari speaking people | |
The Sabar people (also Shabar and Saora) are one of the Munda tribes living mainly in northern Odisha and southern West Bengal in India. During the colonial period, they were classed as one of the 'criminal tribes' under Criminal Tribes Act 1871, and suffer from social stigma and ostracism in modern times. There are small communities of Sabar people in Bangladesh.
Also known as Saora, the Sabar tribe finds mention in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, while in some parts of East Singhbhum district mainly in Musabani, they are known as Kariya. Noted writer and activist Mahasweta Devi is known for working with these forest tribals.
This reclusive tribe is found primarily in Odisha and in Midnapore District of West Bengal.