Santhal tribe

Santhal
Based in the northern region of India, the Santhal is an agriculturist tribe with a settled
life. It is one of the largest tribe of the India. Their population is 40 lakhs (1991 census)
with a sex ratio of 1:1. They are based in the states of Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal.
Their living places are Santhal Pargana (main living place of this tribe), Bhagalpur,
Maghhar, Hajari bagh, Ranchi, Singhbhumi, Dhanbad and Palamu districts.
They are of proto australoid origin. Their skin colour varies from black to dark brown.
Their language is Santhali, which is originated from the Mundari language (Mundari
language is of austro-asian family).
They are mainly living in the villages. In every village size, 10 to 50 families live. Every
village is divided in many Tolas and a chief heads these Tolas separately.
Santhal tribe is divided in 12 gotras. These are- Hansda,Murmu,Kisku, Hembram, Mandi,
Sauren, Tutu, Baske, Beshra, Pauria, Chore, Baidia. Beshra and Baidia gotras are
considered inferior. They are patriarchal and exogamous group. Mainly they prefer
nuclear family but extended family also exists.
Chacho- chhathiyar
This ritual is performed before the marriage. This ritual is the sign of his/her caste or
status in the community. Age is not fixed for this ritual. If a man or woman dies without
performing this ritual, that person is not brunt and no ceremony is conducted for him.
Marriage
In general practice they are monogamous. If wife is not fertile, in that case they do more
than one marriage. Surrorate marriage is permitted but cross cousin marriage are strictly
prohibited and it is a social taboo. They adopt many tribal methods in the selection of the
mates. Widow marriage is also performed but in a very simple manner. In case of
separation both male and female have the equal right. The main cause of separation of the
marriage is due the effect of witchcraft, sorcery and adultery. Divorce is also in practice.
In the general practice, it is known as “Bapla”. Marriage in same gotra is prohibited.
They do their marriages after the Shivaratri. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are
auspicious for their marriages.
The process of marriage is started by the “Raivarich” (a mediator). Ghar dekhi ritual is
performed by seeing the homes of the bride and bridegroom by the members of the both
families. Another ritual is “Tilak-Chadi” wherein both sides give gifts to the bride and
bridegroom.
Taka chal is kind of bride wealth, which is given by the groom side to the father of bride,
generally amounting to twelve rupees.
On a certain date groom side come to the bride’s home and the bride’s side with water
and stick of mango tree welcomes them. This ritual is known as “Daram-Dak”. Gud (a
preparation made by cane juice) is also given to groom side at the every door of the
village. After that they stay under a tree andcook their food. The bride side does not give
dinner.
Sindara ghan - It is the last ritual, which is associated with the vermilion. The groom’s
family reaches the door of bride’s father. Both bride and bridegroom are taken on the
shoulders of the members of both sides. In the same situation, groom puts vermilion on
the middle of the bride’s head five times. This is the culmination of the marriage process.
The role of Pandit (a man who performs the process of the marriage) shows their
association with the Hindu culture. Pandit is known as “Jogh-manjhi”.
They also consume a lot of liquor, which is known as “Handia”
Death ceremony
Death ceremony is same as Hindu does but the ritual of Teil nahan is slightly different.
Other rituals are – cremation, collection of bones and its disposal in a river and lastly
Shradha (a kind of bhoj). The community women wrap the dead body with turmeric and
teil (oil).
Teil nahan - this ritual is performed at the fifth day of the death. Every male member of
that village shaves their heads and take bath. After that thay offer the edible items to the
forefathers and to the dead person as well.
The remains of the dead person is known as Jad-baha, which is dipped in the river
especially in the Nai (Damoder river).
Religion
Santhals are Hindus. They have faith in the Lord Shiva. In the light of religion they are in
three sect- Bonga hoda, Safa hoda and Um hoda
Bonga hoda are associated with Hinduism. They have full faith in god- goddess and
witchcraft tradition. They believe in the Bonga buru (goddess) and in
Hapdanako(forefathers), who protect them from every natural and social calamities. They
use mantra (verse) for the worship of them, which is known as Bakhera in their local
language.
The males perform all the sacred work. Their religious place is known as “Jahere than”
and “Manjhi than”. The entrance of female is prohibited here.
Their main gods and goddesses are- “Marad buru”, “Jarehar era”, “Mondeko-tuiko”,
“Gonsai era”, “Odank bonga” and “Hapdanako(fore fathers)”. The most important god is
Marad buru, who is actually god Shiva. He is all in all in their social lives.
Safa hoda are those Santhals, who are protecting their original religion from the process
of acculturation especially from Christianity and Islam. This sect came in light due the
serious effort of saint Bhagirath, who started a safa hoda movement.
Um hoda are those Santhals, who are converted in to the Christianity. They numbers are
very small, but their association from their original place and their cultural pattern of life
is still untouched.
Festivals
Santhal start to celebrate their festival from the month of July. The main festivals are
“Eroke”, “Hariyad”, “Janpad”, “Sohrai”, “Sakrat”, “Bhagsim” and “Baha”.
Eroke is concerned with the agriculture and is celebrated in the month of July. At this
time they sow the seeds and do also sacrifice.
Hariyad is associated with the proper yield of cereals. They worship their gods for the
proper growth of crop.
Janpad is performed for the good storage of crop. A pig is sacrificed at the place
Jherethan(a sacred place). A feast is also given to the community but only men are
permitted for this feast.
Sohrai is the main festival of them and it is celebrated at the time of harvesting especially
is associated with paddy. In this festival every god goddess and forefathers are
worshipped. All the elder persons of the community are also honored. This festival span
is of five days.
Sakrat is celebrated only two days. It is associated with the welfare of the family.
Maradburu and other forefathers are worshipped.
Bhagsim is celebrated in the month of February. a hen is sacrificed at the bank of the
pond. On the same day, the social statuses of the community men are determined.
Vaha, it is the second largest festival of the Santhals. The literal meaning of the vaha is –
flower. It is celebrated in the month of March. They do not use any leaves or flowers
before the celebration of this festival. The span of this festival is of three days. This
festival is equivalent to the festival Vasantpanchmi of Hindus.
Political organization
Panchayat is their traditional political organization. Every village has its own panchayat.
The five people - Manjhi, Paranik, Jogh manjhi, Jogh paranik and Godet form Panchayat.
In their language this five men panchayat is known as Monde hod (five men). These five
members are elected at time of Bhagsim (a festival in February). Now Manjhi is
authorised for some power. So before the election, the official permission from
government is must.
Manjhi is the chief of the village and he is also the chief of the panchayat. Manjhi is
responsible for the land revenue.
Paranik is the vice- chief of the village. He is also the pseudo successor of the Manjhi.
Jogh manjhi is the head of the youth and is responsible for their moral. Jogh-paranik is
the assistant of the Jogh manjhi. Godte is the messenger of the Manjhi.
Panchayat’s function is mainly associated with land dispute, marriage, separation, rape,
adultery, witchcraft tradition, domestic animal disputes and division of the house.
If any dispute does not reach at its final end, another panchayat is formed by the five
Manjhis. This is known as Monde manjhi. The chief of this panchayat is called Pargana.
The assistant of the pargana is known as Dusmanjhi and messenger is called chakladar.
Pargana supervises more than fifteen villages.
It is crystal clear fact that Santhals are the Hindus. Um Santhalis are the matter of
acculturation.
In the railway organization many Santhal men are engaged as gangmen and patrol men.
They are encompassed by Panchayti policy.