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"The
colour of most Oraons," Sir H. Risley states, "is the darkest brown
approaching to black; the hair being jet-black, coarse and rather inclined
to be frizzy. Projecting jaws and teeth, thick lips, low narrow foreheads,
and broad flat noses are the features characteristic of the tribe. The
eyes are often bright and full, and no obliquity is observable in the
opening of the eyelids.""The Oraon youths," Dalton states, "though with
features very far from being in accordance with the statutes of beauty,
are of a singularly pleasing class, their faces beaming with animation and
good humour. They are a small race, averaging 4 feet 5 inches, but there
is perfect proportion in all parts models of symmetry. There is about the
young Oraons a jaunty air and mirthful expression that distinguishes him
from the Munda or Ho, who has more of the dignified gravity that is said
to characterise the North American Indian. The Oraon is particular about
his personal appearance only so long as he is unmarried, but he is no
hurry to withdraw from the Dhumkuria community, and generally his first
youth is passed before he resigns his decorative propensities. |

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