A Systematic Review of Odia Cultural Practices through the Lens of Positive Psychology

Abstract

Cultural traditions play a major role in shaping psychological well-being, but region-specific practices remain underrepresented in mainstream psychological research. This review aims to explore Odisha’s cultural contributions to emotional and psychological well-being through festivals, ritual systems, folk arts, storytelling traditions, and communal food practices. Drawing on the relevant literature, including psychological studies and regional culture-specific analyses, the review synthesises the literature to shed light on how these practices function as mechanisms of well-being within cultural contexts. When interpreted from the perspective of the PERMA model and the broaden and build theory, the analysis suggests that the Odia festivals create positive emotions and social bonding, rituals create structure, folk art creates engagement, and food traditions create a sense of belonging and collective pride. The evidence implies that well-being in this context is not only sustained by individual psychological factors but also by social participation and relationships that people are involved in. Despite these factors, it is evident that systematic empirical research that focuses on established well-being models and the Odia population is limited. This review highlights the importance of psychological research that is sensitive to culture and also points out the potential of indigenous cultural models in developing contextually based well-being interventions.