Santal - The Third Largest tribe of India

Santhal - The Third Largest tribe of India

Santhal are the third largest Scheduled Tribe community in the country after Gond and Bhil. Today, the Santhal community is largely concentrated in Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal state of India. Their population in India alone is more than 60 lakh. Migrant worker in the tea garden of Assam along with smaller groups elsewhere in India. They are the largest ethnic minority in Rajshahi Division and Rangpur Division of northern Bangladesh. They have a sizeable population in Nepal.

Like other peoples of the region, the Santhal community was also divided between West Bengal in India and East Bengal in Pakistan during the partition. After Independence, Santhal were made one of the Scheduled Tribes in India. In East Pakistan, there were some areas in the west where Santhal were still in significant numbers. There and in neighboring West Bengal, the Santhal provided significant support to the Tebhanga movement. After the Pakistani army crushed the rebellion and burned down many Santhal house, many people fled across the border to Malda District in India.

History of Santhal:

Research at the University of Oslo, suggests that while the original home of the Santhal is believed to be the Champa Kingdom of northern Cambodia, they probably entered India before the Aryan invasions and came via Assam and Bengal, as indicated by their traditions. The Santhal tribe believes in the existence of a Santhal kingdom, Furthermore, mythological tradition recounts a war between the Santhal and a part- Hindu prince, Madho Singh, who was born to a Santhal mother. Mandho Singh settled south of Nagpur and the Santhals became more Hindu. In the late 18^th Century, the Santhals entered historical records in 1795 when they were records as “Soontars”.  During the Bengal famine of 1770, the dry western and south-western part of Bengal, especially the Jangal Mahal area, were some of the worst affected areas and were largely depopulated. This population decline resulted in huge loss of revenue to the East India Company. Therefore, When the Permanent Settlement was implemented in 1790, the Company sought agricultural experts to clear the land. British officials turned their attention to the Santhal, who were willing to clear the forest to practice permanent agriculture. In 1832, a large area of the Raj Mahal Hills was demarcated as Damin-i-Koh. Santhal migrated from Cuttack, Dhalbhum, Birbhum, Manbhum, Hazaribagh and started cultivating these lands as farmers. When they reached Damin-i-Koh (present day- Santhal Pargana), the British did not provided any protection to the Santhal against the already existing Mal Paharias, Who were against the destruction of the forest.They cleared forest areas and started farming in these areas. Their settlement occurred between the 1830s and 1850, in 1830, the area was home to only 3000 Santhals peoples, but by the 1850s, 83000 Santhal peoples had settled on the land and converted it into paddy fields. This resulted in a 22- fold increase in the company’s revenue from the sector.

However, as they began to do more agriculture, the Santhal began to be exploited by landlords. Unlike the Santhal, the British gave importance to individual competition rather than cooperation. The moneylenders of Bangla and the Banias of Bihar began selling goods from elsewhere, and many Santhals, considering them foreigners, went into debt to buy them, usually by mortgaging their land. When the Santhal became unable to pay back the moneylenders, they became land owner and the Santhals became dispossessed landless farmers. Eventually, these acts of exploitation coupled with British tax policies and corrupt tax collectors worsened to such an extent that the Santhals became dissatisfied. In 1855, he led the Santhal rebellion, known as the “Santhal Hool”.

Under the leadership of Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu (both Brother) the rebellion saw an initial period of success, before it was put down by the British government following the deaths of both leaders. 

The Santhal speak Santhali language, which belongs to the Austor-Asiatic language family. The Santhal have their own script called “Olchiki”, which was developed by Dr. Raghunath Murmu in 1925. They are generally bilingual. Apart from Santhali they also speak Bengali, Oriya and Hindi. Their colour ranges from dark brown to black.

The community members worship nature and follow their religion Sarna. They have no temples of place of worship, Santhal worship nature and worship in sacred groves called "Jaher". Traditional dress of Santhal tribe is called "Panchi"

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The literacy rate of Santhal is high compared to other tribes.

According to the 2011 Indian census, for Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar combined 63% recorded their religion as Hinduism, Whils 31% followed other religion and beliefs (mainly Sarna Dharma), and 5% follow Christinty. Less than 1% of the population.

Religion among the Santhal People

Hinduism (63%)

Sarnaism (31%)

Christianity (5%)

Others (1%)

 

The Santhal also have 12 clans divided into two categories: 7 (Seven) senior and 5 (Five) junior. The senior clans are believed to have originated from 7 sons and daughters of the first man and woman, and in order of seniority they are : Hansda (Swan), Murmu (Nilgai), Maranndi (Ischemum rugosum), Kisku (Kingfisher), Soren (Pleiades), Hembrom (betel nut) and Tudu (Owl). The junior families are Baski (stale rice), Besra (falcon), koure (lizard), Pauria (pigeon) and Donkar. Senior clan members do not marry junior clan members, and there are some prohibited marriages, such as between Marandi and Kisku. Furthermore, the Besra are sometimes treated differently because of their perceived low status, but apart from in the context of marriage, they play no role in social life.

Soharai is a major festival of the santhal community. Apart from this, Baha, Karma, Dashain, Sakrat, Mahmor, Rundo and Magasim are important festivals. They are traditionally accompanied by two drums in many of their dance during these festival.

Culture of Santhal :

Santhals love dancing. It’s in their blood. Dance is an important part of Santhal fairs and festivals. After a hard day’s work, Santhal relax themselves with light music and dance. Santhal women wear white sarees with red borders and dance in line order. Apart from dance, the Santhal tirio (bamboo flute with seven holes), Dhodro banam (which consists of a belly called lakh covered with animal skin) on which great music is played using the bridge. 

Industrial Art of Santhal Tribe:

The Santhals specialized in wood carving, but like iron working this craft is declining in both quality and importance. Such products were mainly made for one’s own ceremonial use. Basketry, mar weaving and the manufacture of dishes and cups from Sal leaves (Shorea robusta) are still crafts of commercial importance, as are rope making and the construction of string bed (Charpees). Santhal woodworking earlier included the making of impressive carts and advanced wooden utensils. They still make a large number of musical instruments. While the industrial arts have declined, beautiful artworks are still found, cherished as personal heirlooms. Santhal women also make rice beer and wine made from Mohua flowers (Madhuca indica).

After Jharkhand State was separated from Bihar State in 2000, Santhal Pargana was made a separated division of the State. These Santhals have also agitated for recognition of their traditions as a separate religion, Sarna Dharma, in the census, for which the Jharkhand Assembly passed a resolution in 2020. Many people still face poverty and exploitation, despite being spread over a large area, they now consider Santhal Pargana as their cultural heartland.