On the Way of Evolution of Santali Culture
In the distant past, people of the Austric language group inhabited from
northern India to Easter Island of the Pacific Ocean. Their noses are broad and
flat, their complexions are black and their hair is wavy. They migrated from
India to Australia approximately 30-40 thousand years ago. The descendants of
that Austric group are called Santal.
The Santals have strong adherence to social customs. Their
own judicial system is extraordinary. The village Panchayet is made up of five foremen.
They are Manjhi, Paranik, Jag Manjhi, Godet and Naike. Pargana Panchayet is
formed by adding the foremen of some village Panchayet. Its head is called
Pargana. The next larger system is
the Desh Panchayet. Above these three tiers of judiciary system there is the La’bir
or Supreme Court.
Santal society is basically divided into
12 sections. They are Kisku, Hansda, Murmu, Hembram, Mandi, Soren, Tudu, Baske,
Bedia, Besra, Pauria and Chonre. Handia is one of the drinks in the diet chart
of Santals. Handia is a favorite drink of Santals. Dhoti and turban are quite
popular as the general attire of Santals. Thick sarees are quite popular as
girls wear. The Santals are
festive people. Two types of festivals are generally seen: birth-death-marriage
oriented festival and Parban oriented festival. Santals have their own language
and their own religion. But there is no scripture. Santal society is rich in
endless elements of folk culture. It is true that the Santal community has been
nurturing the uniqueness of their traditions for thousands of years. But their
traditions have been changed and evolved in many ways due to the invasion of
modernity and other communities.
No comments:
Post a Comment