Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts
The Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts — also known as the Tribal Research Institute Museum — is an ethnographic museum in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, housed within the campus of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute. It preserves the living heritage of Odisha’s indigenous communities through life-sized authentic tribal dwellings, artefacts, and cultural documentation.
At a glance
- Type
- Ethnographic and tribal heritage museum
- Period
- 20th century, established by the Government of Odisha
- Style
- Open-air and indoor ethnographic display; life-sized reconstructions
- Location
- Unit VIII, CRP–DAV Road, CRPF Colony, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar 751003, Odisha, India
- Coordinates
- 20.2830° N, 85.8046° E
Overview
The Museum of Tribal Arts and Artefacts is popularly referred to as the Tribal Museum and conceptually described as a Museum of Man. It focuses on the well-researched and documented cultural life of the tribal communities of Odisha. Administrative control rests with the ST, SC, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare Department of the Government of Odisha, and the institution is headed by a director holding the rank of a university professor.
History
The museum was established within the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute campus in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha. It was conceived as a centre for the study and preservation of tribal heritage at a time when rapid social change threatened the continuity of indigenous knowledge and material culture. The institution’s research mandate predates its museum function, grounding the collections in fieldwork and scholarly documentation across Odisha’s tribal regions.
What you see
The museum’s most distinctive feature is its collection of life-sized authentic tribal dwellings, constructed by tribal craftsmen themselves, offering visitors an immersive view of the state’s indigenous architectural traditions. Indoor galleries display tribal artefacts, ornaments, tools, and ceremonial objects drawn from numerous Odishan communities. Thematic sections highlight the material culture, belief systems, and daily life of scheduled tribes across the state, making the museum one of the most comprehensive repositories of tribal heritage in eastern India.
Cultural significance
Odisha is home to more than sixty distinct scheduled tribes, representing one of the highest concentrations of indigenous communities in India, and the museum serves as the principal institutional archive of their tangible and intangible heritage. By combining active research with public display, the institution bridges scholarship and community visibility, ensuring that the lifeways and craftsmanship of Odisha’s tribal populations remain accessible to future generations.
Practical information
- Address
- Unit VIII, CRP–DAV Road, CRPF Colony, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar 751003, Odisha
- Phone
- +91 674 256 3649
- Hours
- Check official website for current opening times
- Admission
- Check official website
Getting there
The museum is located in the Nayapalli area of Bhubaneswar, accessible by auto-rickshaw or taxi from Bhubaneswar railway station (approximately 5 km) and from Biju Patnaik International Airport (approximately 8 km). Local city buses connect central Bhubaneswar to the Nayapalli–CRP Road corridor.