Context:
The Prime Minister recently paid tribute to the sacrifices and bravery of the Santhal tribal community.
Relevance:
GS I: History
About Santhal Tribal Community:
- Demographics:
- Santhals are the third largest scheduled tribe in India, following Gonds and Bhils.
- Predominantly found in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Orissa in eastern India.
- Language:
- They speak Santhali, a Kherwari dialect from the Munda (Austroasiatic) language family.
- Santhali, written in the Ol-Chiki script, is listed as a scheduled language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- History and Settlement:
- Initially nomadic, the Santhals settled on the Chotanagpur plateau.
- By the late 18th century, they concentrated in the Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand (previously part of Bihar) and later moved to Odisha and West Bengal.
- Religion:
- Santhals are nature worshippers, often seen paying respects at Jaher (sacred groves) within their villages.
- Traditional Dress:
- Men typically wear dhoti and gamuchha.
- Women wear short-check sarees, usually blue and green, and often adorn themselves with tattoos.
- Marriage Customs:
- Santhal society accepts various forms of marriage, including elopement, widow remarriage, levirate, forced (rare), and compensatory marriage for impregnation.
- Divorce is not taboo, and either partner can initiate it.
- Occupations:
- Primarily agriculturists, they rely on farming and forest resources.
- Seasonal forest collection is a significant source of supplementary income.
- Cultural Practices:
- Dance (enej) and music (sereng) are essential aspects of Santhal culture.
- Their homes, known as Olah, feature a unique three-color pattern: black soil at the bottom, white in the middle, and red at the top.
- Historical Significance:
- The Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) was a notable uprising against British rule, marking India’s first significant peasant revolt.
- The rebellion, led by Sido and Kanhu, was driven by the grievances arising from the Permanent Land Settlement of 1793, impacting regions of Bihar.
-Source: Times of India
