Society and culture of the Santals, an indigenous group of India.

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Ancient Tribal Society and Culture of India: Santal

 Pictures: Collected      July 14, 2023.

   

Art & Culture



At one time the people of the Austric language group were spread as far north as Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean. Broad nose and thin, dark complexion with wavy hair was their constitution. This group migrated to Australia approximately twenty-five to thirty years ago. The rulers of that Austric clan are now known as Santal clans. After the defeat of the santal rebellion in 1855, they were scattered again. Spread in Bengal, Tripura and Orissa. According to a 2001 estimate, the total number of Santals in Bangladesh is 1,57,698. Currently, this number is believed to have crossed 2 lakhs. On June 30, 1855, a sudden fire broke out in the soil of Birbhum against the oppression of British rule, landlords and indigo farmers. The British regime shook even when faced with modern guns and cannons with native weapons. With the death of Sidhu, Kanu, Chand and Bhairav, the rebellion was quelled within a year. But whole India's infatuation broke its slumber. Rights awareness was born. His document is one rebellion after another in this land from every next year. Revolution is not like a contagious disease! In the pages of history, the event is known as the Santal Rebellion or the Santal Hull.

  

Society

Santal society is patriarchal. Sons have equal rights in property, but daughters have no rights. However, all the property of a sonless person is inherited by his brothers. The Santals are divided into twelve tribes. These tribes are called 'Paris' in Santali language. The gotras (Paris) are Hansda, Saran, Tudu, Kisku, Murmu, Mandi, Baske, Besra, Hembram, Pauria, Chande and Bedya.

Agriculture has been taken up as the main occupation by both men and women since ancient times. Men plow and women sow seeds and harvest crops. The Santals make their own agricultural implements. Their enthusiasm for hunting is very high. At present many Santal men and women work as coolies, laborers, tillers and other jobs.

    Gram Panchayat is made up of five members of Santal village. They are – Majhi Haram or Village Head, Paranik, Jagmazhi, Godet and Naike. Pargana Panchayats are formed with the heads of some villages. Its head is called Pargana. A larger system than this is the Desh Panchayat. In Santal society, country refers to a specific area.


Image Source: ecojesuit.com 


Culture


Sohrai is the main festival of Santal community. They perform their ceremonies in a grand manner. The programs are published in Santali language:

৹ Bapla (Marriage)
• Bhandan (Fate Ceremony)
• Sarha (this ceremony is usually performed during Hindu Pushna)
• Baha Parva
Barni (Baruni Fair)



They traditionally accompany many of their dances during these festivals with two drums called 'Tamak and Tumdak'. Santal art is admired for its intricate carving style. The walls of traditional Santal houses are decorated with carved designs, hunting scenes, dance scenes, geometric patterns and more. Santal-style palanquins are intricately carved and designed. According to the 2011 Indian Census, a combined 63% of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar practice Hinduism. 31% practice Sarna religion along with Hinduism and 5% practice Christianity. Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism follow less than 1%. Santal society is the bearer and bearer of a rich culture. Folktales and stories and verses are developed to present various truths of life in a comprehensible way. Example-

 

দারে সাকাম সাগে নেনা 

ঞুরুঃলাগিৎ চান্দো পালোঃ লাগিৎ 

নিংমাঞ জানা মাকান নোয়া ধারতিরে 

বাংদঞ টুণ্ডোং চান্দো বাং দঞ বাং আ।। 

 

Meaning: Leaves come to fall. And I was born to leave the world. (Santal Society and Culture of Bangladesh, Muhammad Abdul Jalil, page-4).


The Santal community has not lost its distinctiveness despite living alongside Hindu and Muslim societies for thousands of years. Everyday nature, petty beliefs and ideals of moral values ​​have not been allowed to tarnish. Here lies the main characteristic of tribal culture. 



যায় আসে সাঁওতাল মেয়ে

শিমুলগাছের তলে কাঁকরবিছানো পথ বেয়ে।
মোটা শাড়ি আঁট করে ঘিরে আছে তনু কাল দেহ।

বিধাতার ভোলা-মন কারিগর কেহ

কোন কালো পাখিটিরে গড়িতে গড়িতে

শ্রাবনের মেঘে ও তরিতে

উপাদান খুঁজি

ওই নারী রছিয়াছে বুঝি।        

                                                 - রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর

 

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