Paraja is the story ofthe people ofthe rim land, the adivasis. So is Things Fall Apart. The history of these people, their language and culture before the period oftransition to colonialism have been rewritten as a consequence ofthe post-colonial inquiry initiated by the Third World writers and artists. The non-western writers retell the history of unknown tribes in the form of novels giving the people ofthe tribe a status equal to the other members ofthe society. It is certainly a great endeavour of the writers to give a voice to the voiceless. This chapter is devoted to exploring the pre-colonial past as apprehended through their novelistic vision ofrestitution. The chapter is in three sections. The first one is about Gopinath Mohanty’s portrayal ofthe indigenous world ofthe adivasis of Sarsupadar in Koraput. The second section deals with Achebe’s portrayal of the same in his Nigerian setting. The third sets out to highlight the shared ground between them with regard to the pre-colonial past.

Parajas are one of the well known major tribes of Odisha. The population of the tribe as per 2011 census in Nabarangpur district is 74,253. Paraja tribe is found in Nabarangpur, Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti, Papadahandi, Dabugaon, and Jharigaon blocks of the district.

The Parajas seem to have been inhabiting this country from about the 2nd century of the Christian era. (District Gazetteers, Koraput, 1966). They say that their original home is ‘Bastaria’ as they have migrated from Bastar area of Madhya Pradesh (now Chatisgarh). Paraja is conglomeration of various endogamous sections and is not a compact community. Compared with other tribal communities, they show some cultural differences, especially in respect of their settlement pattern, dress and ornament, economic life, belief and worship, manners, customs and folk tradition.

Their mother tongue Porji is a form of Gondi belonging to Dravidian family of languages which varies according to local tongues like Odia or Telugu. Parajas are generally hill cultivators. But in Nabarangpur district settled cultivation is the main stay of their subsistence economy. They are fond of cattle wealth.

The traditional dress of the tribe consists of loin cloth and napkin for men and coarse and cheap Sarees for women. But because of external contact, they now use modern dresses like shirts, banians, blouses, coloured sarees, ribbons etc.

The Parajas are one of the well-known major tribes of Orissa. The name “Paraja” came from Sanskrit and means “common people”. The Parajas in general are strong, stout and hardworking: compact with other tribal communities, they show some cultural differences especially in respect of their settlement pattern, dress and ornaments, economic life, beliefs and worship, manners, customs, and folk traditions. They are simple, friendly and hospitable but like to remain aloof from the people of other communities as they feel shy of them. Men of these tribe usually wear loincloth and napkins and women wear cheap and coarse saree. Common ornaments used by Paraja women consist of bangles, armlets, bracelets, necklaces, rings, hairpins etc. usually made of silver, alumunium and brass. A number of brass ear rings dangles from each ear and the nose. The practice of tatooing is prevalent among Paraja woman. Parajas are not nomadic in nature but often they shift from

one place to another to get relief from the natural calamities, attack of wild animals, and other disasters which affect their well being. In some

villages houses are scattered here and there while in some other villages the individual houses run in two parallel rows facing each other on a common street.

In the open spaces between houses, sheds are built to accommodate domestic animals like cattle, sheep, pigs and fowls. The Parajas are fond of using white or red-coloured soil mixed with cow dung or ashes for colouring the house. The dormitory system is prevailing in the Paraja society and the boys and girls spend nights in their respective dormitories to know each other more and develop intimacy. Whenever they like they meet at the communal dancing ground at the centre of village and rejoice themselves by dancing together or simply hold song competition. Songs are mostly question, answer type through romantic love songs boys and girls communicate their ideas and feelings. Sometimes