Answer: Odisha
Notes: Kandha women from Odisha’s Kandhamal district are giving up the old tradition of facial tattooing, once used for protection and identity. Kandha, also known as Khond, is the largest tribal group in Odisha, living mainly in Kandhamal, Rayagada, Kalahandi, and Koraput districts. They speak Kui or Kuvi languages, which belong to the Dravidian language family. The word “Kandha” comes from the Telugu word “Konda,” meaning hill, showing their link to forest life. Sub-groups include Desia Kandha, Dongria Kandha, and Kutia Kandha, with Dongria and Kutia listed as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
