Munda peoples


The Munda peoples of eastern and central India are any of several tribal groups of people who natively speak Munda languages, formerly also known as Kolarian.

History

According to linguist Paul Sidwell, Munda languages arrived on the coast of Odisha from Southeast Asia about 4000-3500 years ago. The Munda people spread from Southeast Asia and mixed extensively with local Indian populations.

Ethnic groups

Some ethnic groups do not natively speak any of the Munda tongues, but nevertheless have been linked by some to the Munda lede grounded upon anthropological or genetic token: