The Porja are a hill tribe inhabiting the Agency Area of Visakhapatnam District, and in adjoining areas of Orissa State. They are chiefly shifting agriculturists and cultivate lands on the high level hill slopes. A numerically small tribe with a population of 16,479 as per the 1981 Census, they reside mainly in the Munchangiputtu, Ananthagiri and Pedda Bayalu Mandals. /p>
Their mother tongue is 'Parji dialect', a corrupt form of Oriya language. The term Porja seems to have been derived from Oriya words po and raja which mean 'son of a king'.
The terms Porja, Porja and Parja seem to be synonymous. 'Parji' language is identical with Bhatri which has now become a form of Oriya. Most of them have migrated from Orissa State about 300 years back to the present habitat in search of cultivable land.
They are mostly illiterate, and children are not encouraged by their parents to attend schools because they are seen as an additional source of family income.
This is a script for Porja devised by Professor Prasanna Sree.
Information provided by Professor Prasanna Sree of Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Bagatha, Gadaba, Gondi, Goudu, Jatapu, Kammara, Kolam, Konda-Dora, Kotia, Koya, Kupia, Mali, Mukha Dora, Porja, Rana, Savara, Sugali, Yerukula