Who are the Santals?
The Santal tribe, also known as Santhal, is one of India’s largest indigenous communities, with a rich cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years. The tribe predominantly resides in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Assam. Throughout history, the Santals have managed to preserve their unique way of life despite facing challenges from modernization and assimilation into mainstream society. In this article, we delve into the enigmatic world of the Santal tribe, exploring their traditions, customs, and contributions to the cultural tapestry of India.
»Origins and Migration
The folklore of the Santals claims they came from Hihiri Pipiri (ᱦᱤᱦᱤᱲᱤ ᱯᱤᱯᱤᱲᱤ), which scholars have identified as Ahuri in Hazaribagh district. Also academics are divided on the specifics of the origins of the Santhals, research from the University of Oslo suggests that the nomadic community was originally based in the Champa Kingdom of northern Cambodia before migrating to India and settling in the Chotanagpur Plateau.
Still the origin of the Santal tribe is shrouded in mystery. Some anthropologists also suggest that they have Dravidian origins, while others believe they might have descended from Austro-Asiatic or Tibeto-Burman groups. Regardless of their roots, the Santals have a fascinating migration history. Legend has it that they originally lived in the Indus Valley and migrated eastward over time, establishing settlements in various parts of eastern India.
»Language and Religion
The Santals speak Santali, an Austro-Asiatic language, and is also recognized as one of India’s official languages. Their rich oral tradition includes a repertoire of songs, myths, and folktales that have been passed down through generations, keeping their cultural identity alive.
The religious beliefs of the Santal tribe revolve around nature and ancestors. They practice animism and worship a supreme deity called Marang Buru, who is believed to be the creator of the universe. Alongside Marang Buru, they also venerate spirits that reside in natural elements like mountains, rivers, trees, and animals. The traditional Santal festivals like “Sarhul” and “SoHrai” are occasions where the tribe celebrates and offers prayers to nature and the spirits of their ancestors.
»Social Structure and Lifestyle
The Santal tribe follows a hierarchical social structure. Each village is governed by a headman, known as the “Manjhi.” Below the Manjhi, there are other influential members who help in decision-making and dispute resolution. Family holds immense importance in Santal culture, and they live in close-knit communities where mutual support and cooperation are the norm.
Traditionally, the Santals were predominantly farmers, cultivating crops such as rice, millet, and pulses. In agricultural position Santals are the third largest Scheduled Tribe Community in India after Gond and Bhil. They also practiced hunting and gathering, but with the encroachment of modern society, many Santals have transitioned to other occupations like labor work, artistry, and government jobs.
»Art, Music, and Dance
The Santals have a rich artistic heritage, which is evident in their colourful and intricate artwork. Their traditional paintings and crafts often depict scenes from daily life, nature, and religious beliefs. The “Paitkar” paintings and “Johar” murals are famous examples of their artistic skills.
Music and dance are an integral part of Santal culture. Their traditional musical instruments include the “Tumdak,” “Tamak,” and “Banam,” which accompany the rhythmic and energetic dance performances. Their dances, like the “Baha” and “Chadchadi,” are not only expressions of joy but also play a crucial role in various rituals and ceremonies.
The Santal tribe is a testament to the rich diversity of India’s cultural heritage. Their unique way of life, artistic expressions, and close connection with nature make them an integral part of the country’s social fabric. As India continues to progress in the modern era, it is crucial to ensure that the Santal tribe, along with other indigenous communities, receives the support and recognition they deserve, allowing them to thrive while preserving their valuable cultural legacy for generations to come.
Mother Language:- Santali (ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲᱤ)
Written Script:- Ol-Chiki (ᱚᱞ ᱪᱤᱠᱤ) Created By Pandit Raghunath murmu
Religion:- Sarna and Sari (Folk Religion)
ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲ ᱫᱚ ᱚᱠᱚᱭ ᱠᱟᱱᱟ ᱠᱚ?
ᱜᱟ.ᱠᱷᱩᱲᱤᱭᱟ. ᱠᱚᱭᱟᱜ ᱠᱟᱛᱷᱟ ᱞᱮᱠᱟᱛᱮ ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲ ᱠᱚᱫᱚ ᱫᱚᱠᱠᱷᱤᱱ ᱮᱥᱤᱭᱟ ᱨᱮᱱ ᱚᱥᱴᱨᱳ ᱮᱥᱤᱭᱟᱴᱤᱠ (Austroasiatic) ᱯᱟ.ᱨᱥᱤ ᱜᱷᱟᱨᱚᱧ ᱨᱮ ᱢᱮᱱᱟᱜ ᱠᱚ ᱢᱩᱱᱰᱟ ᱡᱟ.ᱛᱤ ᱨᱮᱱ ᱢᱤᱫ ᱦᱟ.ᱴᱤᱧ ᱠᱟᱱᱟ ᱠᱚ᱾ ᱯᱟ.ᱨᱥᱤ ᱜᱟᱱ.ᱠᱷᱩᱲᱤᱭᱟ. ᱯᱚᱞ ᱥᱤᱰᱭᱮᱞ (Paul Sidwell) ᱟᱜ ᱠᱟᱛᱷᱟ ᱞᱮᱠᱟᱛᱮ ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲ ᱠᱚᱫᱚ ᱯᱟ.ᱦᱤᱞ ᱛᱮ ᱩᱢᱟ.ᱱ ᱔᱐᱐᱐- ᱓᱕᱐᱐ ᱥᱟᱞ ᱢᱟᱲᱟᱝ ᱤᱱᱫᱳ ᱪᱤᱱ ᱞᱮᱠᱟᱛᱮ ᱩᱲᱤᱥᱥᱟ ᱛᱮᱠᱚ ᱴᱩᱰᱟ.ᱝ ᱦᱮᱡ ᱞᱮᱱᱟ᱾ ᱢᱮᱱ ᱠᱷᱟᱱ ᱥᱟ.ᱦᱤ ᱯᱨᱚᱢᱟᱱ ᱨᱮᱭᱟᱜ ᱟᱱᱟᱴ ᱠᱷᱟᱛᱤᱨ ᱱᱤᱛ ᱦᱚ ᱱᱚᱭᱟ ᱠᱟᱛᱷᱟ ᱫᱚ ᱵᱟᱝ ᱵᱟᱲᱟᱭ ᱧᱟᱢ ᱟᱠᱟᱱᱟ ᱡᱮ ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲ ᱠᱚᱭᱟᱜ ᱯᱟ.ᱦᱤᱞ ᱠᱟᱱᱟᱢ ᱵᱷᱤᱴᱟ. ᱫᱚ ᱚᱠᱟᱨᱮ ᱛᱟᱦᱮ ᱠᱟᱱᱟ᱾
ᱢᱮᱱ ᱠᱷᱟᱱ ᱯᱟ.ᱦᱤᱞ ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲ ᱦᱟᱯᱲᱟᱢ ᱠᱚᱭᱟᱜ ᱞᱮᱭ ᱟ.ᱜᱩ ᱠᱟᱛᱷᱟ ᱞᱮᱠᱟᱛᱮ, ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲ ᱠᱚᱭᱟᱜ ᱡᱟᱱᱟᱢ ᱵᱷᱤᱴᱟ. ᱫᱚ ᱵᱟᱝ ᱢᱟ "ᱦᱤᱦᱤᱲᱤ ᱯᱤᱯᱤᱲᱤ" ᱠᱟᱱᱟ᱾ ᱡᱟᱦᱟ ᱫᱚ ᱜᱟ.ᱠᱷᱩᱲᱤᱭᱟ. ᱠᱚᱭᱟᱜ ᱟ.ᱭ ᱩᱢᱟᱱ ᱞᱮᱠᱟᱛᱮ ᱱᱤᱛ ᱫᱚ "ᱦᱟᱡᱟᱨᱤ ᱵᱟᱜᱽ" ᱡᱤᱞᱟ ᱨᱮᱱᱟᱜ "ᱟᱦᱩᱨᱤ" ᱢᱮᱱᱛᱮ ᱱᱤᱛ ᱠᱚ ᱴᱷᱟᱲᱚ ᱜᱚᱴᱟᱭᱮᱫᱟ᱾ ᱥᱤᱧ ᱚᱛ(India) ᱫᱤᱥᱚᱢ ᱨᱮᱭᱟᱜ ᱡᱷᱟᱲᱠᱷᱚᱰ, ᱯᱟᱪᱮ ᱵᱟᱝᱞᱟ, ᱩᱲᱤᱥᱥᱟ, ᱵᱤᱦᱟᱨ, ᱟᱥᱟᱢ, ᱮᱢᱟᱱ ᱯᱚᱱᱚᱛ ᱠᱚᱨᱮᱜ ᱱᱤᱛ ᱫᱚ ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲ ᱦᱚᱯᱚᱱ ᱠᱚ ᱠᱷᱟᱢ ᱜᱟᱱ.ᱰᱤ ᱠᱟᱛᱮᱜ ᱢᱮᱱᱟᱜ ᱟᱠᱟᱫ ᱠᱚᱣᱟ᱾
ᱟᱭᱳ ᱟᱲᱟᱝᱺ- ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲᱤ
ᱚᱞ ᱟᱠᱠᱷᱚᱨᱺ- ᱚᱞ ᱪᱤᱠᱤ (ᱯᱚᱱᱰᱤᱛ ᱨᱚᱜᱩᱱᱟᱛᱷ ᱢᱩᱨᱢᱩ ᱟᱜ ᱥᱤᱨᱡᱚᱱ)
ᱫᱚᱨᱚᱢᱺ- ᱥᱟᱨᱱᱟ ᱟᱨ ᱥᱟ.ᱨᱤ (ᱦᱟᱯᱲᱟᱢ ᱟᱱᱟᱜ)
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