Kandra (caste)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kandra, also known as Kandara or Kodama is a Scheduled Caste community in East India, primarily in Odisha and West Bengal.[1] They were traditionally engaged in the profession of fishing and artisan, though in the modern times many of the members of community have integrated in society.[2]
Kandra were historically nomadic community who were artisans, primarily in profession of Bamboo-making business and selling them in different parts of Odisha.[3] Besides being artisans, they were heavily involved in the fishing due to presence in the coastal regions of the state and with time due to socio-economically backward. It is said that they were originated from the Sambalpur State and have also migrated to adjacent states of West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.[4][5] They are considered as similar to the Basor and Turi community due to similarity of being bamboo workers and documented by various names such as Kodma (in Mayurbhanj State), Kodama and Kadara.