Tribes of India- Santhal Tribe

                           Santhal Tribes

                                             -Tanisha Agrawal

 INTRODUCTION:

The Santals, also known as the Santhals, are a South Asian ethnic group that originated in India and Bangladesh. Santals are India's most populous tribe, with populations in Assam, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal. In Rajshahi, Bangladesh, they are the largest ethnic minority. In Nepal and Bhutan, they have a sizable population. The Santals uses

Santali- the Munda language which is most extensively spoken. The term 'Santal' is made up of two words: Santa, which means calm and tranquil, and ala, which means man .In the Santals used to live a nomadic existence. They gradually established themselves in Chota nagpur Plateau. Santhals have long head and flat nose. Their complexion varies from dark brown to black in colour. They usually have curly hair.

 

HOUSING:

Santhal lives in agricultural areas, meadows, ponds, a graveyard, and a communal place of worship known as jaher era or jaher in short surround the Santal settlement. The jaher, which is located on the outskirts of the hamlet, is a holy groove made up of sal trees where their deities are said to reside. Santal settlements are typically big, with between fifty and one hundred families. 

Their residences on both sides of a large village street, contained inside bounds are organised in a linear style. Santal residences, known as olah, are enormous, well-kept, and appealing, with multi-colored artwork on the walls. The bottom of the wall is black soil, the centre is white soil, and the top is black earth.

KINSHIP- A CONTINUING CULTURE:

There are 12 clans and 164 subclans among the Santals. They are completely patrilineal and endogamous. The clans are ordered according to traditional functional divisions: the Kisku were kings, the Murmu were priests, and so on. Despite their clan status, Santals are generally egalitarian, in contrast to their Hindu neighbours. The local descent group plays a significant role in village organisation.

Santals marry in a variety of ways, depending on the partners' respective positions. Bride-price marriages usually result in the couple staying with the man's family, however bride-service marriages resulting in residence with the woman's family do occur if grooms have fewer finances. In keeping with this flexibility in marriage norms, men and women can divorce with mutual consent.

 

CLOTHING AND DRESSES:

The Santal are distinguished from other cultures by their distinctive clothing design and personal decoration. Male members wear kacha, banion, shirts, and napkins (gamchha), while female members wear green or blue check sarees (jhelah). However, they now wear factory-made clothing. The Santal ladies enjoy wearing hairpins, sikimala (coin necklaces), and baju (scarves). Painri (armlet), sankhachudi (wristlet), satul (bangles), sankhachudi (wristlet) (anklets). 

They were previously utilising heavy silver. But, as a result of modernisation, the current generation prefers to wear plastic, glass, and metal as decorations. Tattooing has become a relic of the past.

 

OCCUPATION:

The Santhals' occupation revolves around the woodlands in which they live. The trees and plants of the woodlands provide for their fundamental requirements. For a living, they also participate in hunting, fishing, and agriculture. They have special skills in manufacturing musical instruments, rugs, and other items.

The Santals are predominantly farmers who raise rice as their principal crop, as well as millet and other grains. They raise goats, sheep, pigs and oxen.

 

CONCLUSION:

Santhals are most progressive tribe. Their interactions of santhals with Hindu community and other developments like Industrialization, Urbanisation have helped them grow. Occupational mobility lead to great change in their lifestyle and also the support from government for uplifting their Socio- economic conditions lead to a great deal of advancement. There is a considerable development in the arena of education, health and economy. Scholarship programmes and government aid have helped them secure government positions.