of 1,648,997, roughly equal to the nation of Guinea-Bissau or the US state of Idaho. This gives it a ranking of 302nd in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a literacy rate of 65.5%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 17.88% and 21.05% of the population At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 77.98% of the population in the district spoke Odia, 20.30% Sambalpuri, and 1.07% Hindi as their first language. The Gandas are the largest SC community, having over 2 lakhs population. The next largest is Dewar with c. 45,000, then Dhobi and Ghasi. These four castes combined are over 90% of the total Scheduled Caste population in the district. There are around 31 scheduled tribes in the district. The Gonds are the largest tribe with 1,08,000 population. The Khonds are the second largest with 90,000. The other major tribes are Saora, Binjhwar, Dal and Shabar. These six tribes combined make up 93% of the tribal population in the district. Besides the SC and ST there are a few castes which are regarded as belonging to other backward classes. Below is the list of OBC's in Balangir district Agaria Bania Bairagi Bhani Bhulia Dumal Gudia Gauda (Yadav) Kalhara Khadura Kostha Mali Suda Teli Thanapati Chasa Kuilta Kumbhakar Gandhamali Bhandari Rana Besides the SC, ST and OBC, other General Castes are the other castes who constitute only 2% of the total population of the district as per socio economic caste - 2011 census Brahmin or Brahman Karan (caste) Khandayat Kshatriya Chasa (caste) Culture Folk dances The Playful child of this area composes verses of “Chhiollai”, “Humobauli” and “Dauligit”, the fleeting adolescence composes “Sajani”, “Chhata”, “Daika”, “Bhekani” : the eternal youth composes “Rasarkeli”, “Jaiphul”, “Maila Jada”, “Bayamana”, “Gunchikuta” and “Dalkhai”. The man who worship work, composes “Karma” and “Jhumer” invigorating Lord Vishwakarma and the “Karamashani” goddess. In every type of situation, in work or at rest; while ploughing, transplanting, husking, threshing, beating, driving bullock cart or boat, grazing cattle, worshipping deities and gods, performing marriages and social functions-there are songs and dances for everybody. The professional entertainers perform Dand, Danggada, Mudgada, Ghumra, Sadhana, Sabar – Sabaren, Disdigo, Nachina – Bajnia, Samparda and Sanchar. They are for all occasions, for all time with varieties of rhythm and rhyme. Most of these folk dances are accompanied by music and songs. Festivals Sital Sasthi: It is the