Tharu tribe

Tharu
It is a Mongolian group, who are living in the Tarai belt of the Himalayan region in the
districts of Nainital, Dehradun (Uttaranchal state), Lakhimpur, Gonda, Bahraich,
Gorakhpur, Basti and Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh state). Their population is 1,32,021
comprising of 67,026 males and 64,995 females (1991 census). Their sex ratio is 1:1.
Their name Tharu is wrapped with many stories, most popular is that of migration from
Rajasthan, due to the invasion of the Mughals. It is also believed that this name came in
existence from the name "Thar" desert of Rajasthan.
Tharu family is an example of the joint family. The oldest person of the family takes
every decision. Labor division in the family is defined, which varies according to the
change of the seasons.
Birth Ceremony
Tikara ritual is concerned with the occurrence of pregnancy and on the birth of a child,
they worship their local god (Bamboo Shiva) and give a bhoj (dinner).
Marriage ceremony
They are divided into 73 subdivisions and at the clan level they are exogamous. They
perform their marriage in Phagun (month of March) or at the time of Holi (the festival of
colors). They select the groom and bride at the Charai fair. Exchange marriage was
frequent among them but Teen tik thi (which is its exact opposite of exchange marriage)
is in practice. A person can choose a girl of distant relative of his brother-in-law they are
monogamy. Pakki oddhi - signifies the settlement of marriage. Lath makha bhoj (a kind
of dinner) is given after the completion of marriage. They use vermilion as the sign of
marriage. They give full honor and protection to their daughter-in-laws instead of their
wedded daughters.
Avoidance (a custom in which the daughter-in-law maintains a distance from her brotherin-
law and her father-in-law) exists among them. The status of woman is very
prestigious. No Tharu man can enter the kitchen or sit equivalent to Tharu woman, and
women don't eat those fish, which have been collected by Tharu males. But all domestic
power and property are under the supervision of the males. Bride wealth is very high
among them. Liquor (wine made from the Mahua tree) is used in every ritual.
Death ceremony
Nothing is different from the Hindu customs but they do not perform Terahvi (a ritual on
the thirteenth day after the occurrence of the death). The final ritual is Dasar (the tenth
day ritual). Every clan male shaves his head and takes part in a given bhoj (dinner).
After the cremation, the Tharu come back to the village and on the way, they halt in the
square (Chauraha) and make a symbolic bridge of mud there. It signifies that the soul will
attain the spiritual world and position with the help of this bridge.
Economy
They are basically agriculturist. The main production is rice, gram and wheat. They are
engaged in hunting and fishing also. Hunted animals are chittal (type of deer), pig, etc,
and catch fish with chhaparia (a basket made of sticks of bamboo).
Education
In Nainital and Baharaich 3 ashrams (boarding) schools are running very well in the
Tharu areas. 11.2% Tharus are literate but they don’t prefer to get engaged in government
jobs.
Religion
They are devotees of Lord Shiva and Jagannath (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu – a Hindu
deity). But they make the symbol of Lord Shiva with bamboo instead of stone, which is
commonly done by the majority of the Hindu communities. They worship Ram, Krishna.
They have 36 gods and goddesses and offer all of them except Jagannath sacrifice.
Jagannath is worshipped with milk. Goats and pigs are the animals that are sacrificed.
Political organization
Panchayat consists of 5 to 7 members, when the panchayat hears any dispute. It starts
with “Madhayapa panchagara mandira (a kind of alcohol, which is consumed by all the
five or seven members of the panchayat). If any member of the community does not obey
the decision of panchayat, he suffers from social pains including disbarment from the
community.
Festivals
Bajhar is celebrated in the rainy season. On this day all woman of the village go to the
forest along with food items and select a specific place where a Peepal (Banyan) tree
exists. They cook food and stay there the whole night. Males are not allowed and they
remain in their homes. This festival is concerned with the welfare eof the community.
Charai ka Mela (fair) is conducted in the month of March and is mainly concerned with
the selection of male and female for marriage purpose.
It the last three decades, the Tharu have approached the modern life. They are adapting to
new agricultural implements and fertilizers. They are now approaching the schools in
their region for the betterment of their children. Now due to the implementation of the
Panchayati Raj, they do not take loans from private agencies. They have started to speak
good Hindi. In the 8th five-year plan, they are have taken seeds from government
agencies and they are going to the primary health agencies and they are going to primary
health centers after knowing the modern concept of health.