Established in 1953, the Museum of Tribal Art and Artefacts (now known as Odisha State Tribal Museum) celebrates the life and culture of Odisha’s 62 tribal communities and is regarded as one of the best tribal museums in India. Located in Bhubaneswar, it is popularly called the Tribal Museum. The Museum has been conceptualised as a “Museum of Man'', and initially its artefacts were displayed in a single hall. In 1986, five tribal huts were constructed on the premises of the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI), and several of the artefacts collected by the Museum were originally displayed within them.

On 5th March 2001, the Museum building was inaugurated within the lush green campus of the SCSTRTI, making it an integral part of the Institute. Showcasing the rich cultural past and present of Odisha’s tribes, the Odisha State Tribal Museum is a living museum. A hub of anthropological knowledge for visitors and research scholars, the museum’s primary role is to represent the richness of indigenous tribal cultures, and the multifaceted religious, cultural and social systems followed by tribal communities. As a wing of the SCSTRTI, Government of Odisha, the Museum organises several training programs, workshops and seminars for the conservation of tribal culture and the development of tribal communities. Over the years, in addition to five galleries showcasing different tribal arts and crafts, the Museum complex has grown to encompass a new building with an exhibition gallery called PVTG World. This gallery showcases the livelihoods and cultural beliefs of Odisha’s 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Communities.

The Tribal Shrine Crafts arena has also been developed, along with auditorium facilities for screening of films on tribal life and culture and a herbal garden. More recently, the Museum has initiated several annual festivals and crafts demonstration programmes where tribal communities can be seen celebrating their traditions and way of life.

Additional Information

- The Museum is exceptionally clean. Artefacts are well maintained and every care is taken for their preservation. New acquisitions take place on a regular basis. A Tribal Food Court located within the Museum premises provides a space for relaxation. Benches have also been installed both in the outdoor exhibition area, and within the Museum buildings for visitors. 

- The library is not open to visitors, but visitors can buy publications from the museum if they wish. IT Services are also not available for visitors.

- Each gallery of the Museum has a guide, who has a background in Anthropology and is also an employee of the Museum and is present at all times to guide the visitors. Additionally, visitors can issue tablet-PCs from the reception and enjoy an audio-visual tour as they go around the galleries.

Acquisition Policy

The Museum is currently undertaking an extensive acquisition programme to bring in artefacts of Odisha’s 62 tribal communities, especially those that are currently not represented by existing holdings. Musical instruments have been collected during a recent mela, along with ornaments and dhokra artefacts. Acquisition of agricultural implements, hunting and fishing implements and traps has also been initiated.

Display Policy

Currently wall-mounted glass display cases and pedestals have been used in the galleries, along with dioramas and life-size sculptures. Each gallery or diorama is supported by a thematic interactive kiosk to provide more information to visitors. The display also regularly incorporates new artefacts. With a major acquisition programme underway, the Museum is currently taking stock of the collection on display while also planning for the incorporation of the new acquisitions.