Santal Tribe

Short info on Santal tribe as a part of assignment.

1. Santal Tribe Name : Nirudha Yadav

2. Santal Tribe Location : Mayurbhanj,Balasore,Keonjhar (major) Odhisa , West B engal, Bihar and Assam Language : Santali. Major Occupation : Agriculture, Industrial labor, Mining. Settlement and Housing : Large, neat and clean houses with spacious rooms with attractive multi colored painting. Walls are made of wood plastered with cow dung and mud. There is sacred place known as Bhitar where ancestral spirits are worshipped. Food and Drinks : Rice is the staple food. Rice beer ( handia ) is a very popular drink among them. They eat all vegetables and crab ,fish, chicken and mutton as non veg. Weekly market : Haat is their weekly market where they buy their neccessities by bartening or selling their surplus agricultural and forest products. Also they meet with their friends and relatives from different villages. Social Life : Their family is patriarchal in nature. Father is the head of the family. Relationships classified into 2 groups bandhupela ( affinal kins ) and kutumpela ( consanguineal kins ).

3. Marriage and divorce : M arriage within same blood and cross cousins are prohibited. There is no restriction of age. M arriages such as by negotiation, by mutual consent, by elopement, widow remarriage, son-in-law in house are prevalent. Divorce is granted at wish of either husband or wife. Religious Beliefs and Practices : Santals are polytheists. Important village deity is the Manjhi Haram boonga (founder headman of the village).The santals believe in witchcraft and black magic. Naike is the religious headman and priest of the village. Fairs and festivals : Most important festivals are Erok-sim , Harihar-sim , Iri- G uldi-sim , Janthar Saharai , Magha-sim and Baha which are associated with agricultural events. Art, Crafts Music and dance : They have inherent talents in art and crafts which can be seen in beautiful wall paintings, architecture and wood works. Dances such as Kalasi , Rinja , Baha , Jachur are performed during different festive occasions. Musical instruments include dhol , tamak , singa , sarangi . Change and Development : The opening of residential schools and scholarships provided them with ample opportunity to educate their children. Traditional leaders are replaced by elected people’s representatives.. Use of modern medicines, mill made clothes cosmetics are used. Santal has its own script ( ol chiki ) which has been scheduled in the Indian constituition .

4. Santal house Wall painting Baha festival Dance and music