From Labourer To ‘Lakhpati’: Story Of Odisha’s Tribal Youtuber Isak Munda.
Odisha tribal man’s life changed after he started uploading his videos on YouTube and he soon became a millionaire from a daily wage labourer.
He used to watch YouTube videos to divert his attention from hunger, but had never thought that the platform would one day change his life.
Isak Munda, the tribal man from Babupali village under Jujumura block of Odisha’s Sambalpur district who used to struggle for his survival, has now become one of the most successful YouTubers in the country.
Isak Munda YouTube channel ‘Isak Munda Eating’ has over 123,128,493 views with 891K subscribers as of June 2022 and counting.
“One day I was watching videos on my mobile phone when a video popped up. In the video, the presenter suggested making of videos and uploading them on YouTube to earn money. I repeatedly watched the video and decided to give it a try,” said Munda.
Munda journey as a YouTuber started in March last year when he posted a video of him eating a bowlful of pakhala with a onion and a green chilli. There has been no looking back since then.
Munda’s videos do not have any unique or extraordinary contents. Rather, he makes simple videos of village foods which are watched by lakhs of people, earning him fame along with a decent income.
He has posted videos of village foods like fish curry, chicken, wild mushroom, red ants and snails. Narrating about the food items in a mixed language of Hindi and Sambalpuri, Munda have posted more than 300 videos so far.
When a OTV team reached Munda’s home to get an insight into his success story, he was collecting mushroom for his new video. Later, he had food with the OTV crew and posted the video on his YouTube channel.
Apart from videos of village foods, Munda also makes videos of catching fish besides snacks eating challenge among children of his village.
“In August 2020, I received Rs 5 lakh income from YouTube. I have built a house with the money and bailed out my family from the financial crisis. I have also decided to extend help to needy people as per my capacity,” said an elated Munda.
His wife said, “I feel very happy now as our financial condition has improved significantly. Now, we have access to food and other basic facilities.”
A Day With Isak Munda Eating || Isak Munda Interview ||WestOdishaVloger with English Subtitles
Source: OdishaTV.in
MUNDA TRIBE CHRISTIANS
PLACES THEY INHABIT
Munda tribe mainly inhabit in the region of Jharkhand, Although they are well spread in the states of West Bengal, Chhatisgarh, Orissa and Bihar. Munda generally means headman of the village.
LANGUAGE AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Mundas speak Mundari language, which belongs to the family of Austro- Asiatic. The complexion of Mundas is blackish. They have short curly hair. With the passage of time some of the Mundas resembles same features as that of the Bengali’s. Common surnames used among the Mundas includes Topno, Barla, Aind, Hemrom, Guria, Herenge, Surin, Horo, Sanga and Samad.
HISTORY OF MUNDAS
Mundas are the tribal communities from the South East Asia. There are some evidences of the Mundas kingdom in the Pre British times. For example the Ho/Munda kingdom of Chota Nagpur, and the Bhumij states, especially Barabhum.
RELIGION
Christianity is the main religion followed among the Mundas. Apart from that, Mundas have their own religion known as Sarna. Sarna stress on the belief of one God. Mundas believe in the supreme being known as the Singbonga, which means the Sun God.
According to the Mundas, he saves them from the external enemies and troubles of life. They say Singbonga punishes them if they break the law of marrying in their ones tribe. Mundas are of the belief that Singbonga is not the jealous God and gives his people the right to worship any celestial being. In Sarna the Mundas worship the nature.
The Mundas are highly superstitious people. The Sarna people do not have any written code of moral laws. The ideas of what is right and wrong is the adopted from their traditions and cultures. Some of the Mundas also worship Lord Shiva.
OCCUPATION OF THE MUNDAS
Mundas have remained haunters for centuries. But now they have been converted into the settled agriculturist. Most of them do not have land of their own. They are largely dependent on the labour work in the fields to earn their livelihood.
FOOD AND CLOTHING OF MUNDAS
Mundas have been the animal eaters for the long time. They usually eat frogs, snakes, rats, earthworms, shells and snails. They prefer having Tari and Haria wine on the various occassions. As the Mundas are in close touch with the Hindu society. Munda men usually wear pant and shirts. While the Munda women are seen wearing the cotton saris with the cholis or blouse.
Source: EcoIndia.com
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