6 Die Schutzgöttinnen: Tribale Gottheiten in Südorissa (Indien) undihre Patronage durch hinduistische Kleinkönige

Abstract

The A. looks at the ethnohistorical question of how South Orissan little kings sought to consolidate and legitimize their rules among a predominatly tribal population by patronizing local goddesses. These goddesses were originally worshipped in the form of aniconical objects such as stones, trees, or earthen mounds by tribal or low-caste priests, often with blood sacrifices. In the course of their royal patronization, the cults of the goddesses underwent various kinds of Hinduization, while simultaneously the royal courts were tribalized. Five examples of such goddesses are discussed in order to assess the role of tribal godesses played in the pursuance of political power.