Etymology and origins
The name Bhottada is derived from the words ''Bhu'' meaning earth and ''Tara'', meaning chase. It is said that they migrated from Bastar.Subdivisions
The tribe is divided into two divisions called ''Bada'' and ''Sana''. ''Bada''s are higher in social hierarchy, They claim to be of purer descent. The divisions are endogamous however now a days intermarriage takes place between them.Culture
They have a number of exogamous totemistic clans or gotras named after different animals such as tortoise, tiger, cobra, monkey, dog, lizard, goat, etc. The clan members who are of a particular animal totem respect the same animals. The clans has agnatic lineages formed as local descent groups who live close to each other in villages. Marriage by negotiation is called Bibha . It is considered ideal and prestigious. It involves elaborate process and is expensive. Other ways of acquiring mates such as by elopement, by capture, by service are practised. Cross-cousin marriage, junior levirate and sororate, divorce and remarriage are permitted on reasonable grounds. They bury their dead. They worship Hindu deities and their own pantheon includes Budhi Thakurani, Bhairabi Budhi, Pardesi, Basumata, Banadurga, etc. Their chief festibhals are ''Chait Parab'' , ''Akhiturti'',''Nua Khia''and Dussera. The traditional chief of the village is the ''Naik''. He ,assisted by ''Chalan'', ''Pujari'' and ''Gonda'' handle the community affairs. At the regional level a group of villages constitute a ''Desh'' headed by ''Bhat Naik'' and supported by ''Panigrahi'' and ''Desia Gonda'' who mitigate inter-village disputes.See also
* Tribes of IndiaReferences
{{Reservation in India Scheduled Tribes of India Social groups of Odisha Scheduled Tribes of Odisha