Tag: Tribal culture of Jharkhand

❖ Etymology and Meaning of the Word “Sadan”

• Derived from ‘sad’, meaning:
  • To sit, reside, or assemble.
• Other associated meanings:
  • Sadya – immediate, new, fresh.
  • Sad – good, true.
• Sadans are considered:
  • The first settlers of Jharkhand.
  • New residents who made the land their home.
• Associated with Shivpriya (Naag Priya) land, where Naga caste is dominant.

❖ Socio-Cultural Aspects of the Sadan Community

• Worship places called Sarna, located in open spaces like:
  • Mahadev Manda, Devi Gudi.
• Temples were constructed later due to external influences.
• Cultural values based on equality and cooperation:
  • Sahiya-Madait (cooperative systems).
• Marriage customs:
  • Bride price (Daali Daam) instead of dowry.
  • Entire village participates in the marriage of a daughter.

❖ Relationship Between Sadans and Tribal Communities

• Sadans were present before the arrival of major tribes (Munda, Oraon, Kharia, etc.).
• Primitive Sadan groups include:
  • Naga, Asur, Sarak tribes.
• Coexistence with incoming tribal communities.
• Over time, a fusion of languages, songs, music, and cultures occurred.

❖ Classification of Sadans

1. Ancient Original Sadans – Indigenous residents of Jharkhand.
2. Medieval Settlers – Brought by kings from other states; ~75% assimilated as Jharkhandi.
3. Newcomers – Traders and professionals; ~50% Jharkhandi cultural influence.
4. Recent Migrants – Arrived post-1932; weak Jharkhandi identity.

Major Scheduled Tribes of Jharkhand (As per Census 2011)

S.No.	Tribe	District / Division	Population	Percentage	Language
1	Santal	Santhal Pargana	27,54,723	31.86%	Santali
2	Oraon	Ranchi	17,16,618	19.85%	Kurukh
3	Munda	Ranchi	12,29,221	14.21%	Mundari
4	Ho	Singhbhum	9,28,289	10.73%	Ho
5	Kharwar	Palamu	2,48,974	2.87%	Kharwari

❖ Language and Culture of Sadans

• Sadani language (now called Nagpuri) was once the official language under the Nagvanshi rule.
• Despite dialectical differences, a shared cultural sentiment prevails.
• Folk dances include:
  • Fagua, Thadiya, Umkach, Uidhra, Jhumar, etc.

❖ Economic and Social Contributions

• Significant role in:
  • Agriculture, metalwork (iron-copper), craftsmanship, and trade.
• Traditional systems like:
  • Madhait Pratha – collective labor.
  • Interest-free loan system – strengthened the rural economy.

❖ Current Status of Sadans in Jharkhand

• Important figures in the freedom struggle:
  • Pandey Ganpat Rai, Nilambar-Pitambar, etc.
• After independence:
  • Decline in political voice.
  • Marginalisation after Jharkhand was declared a tribal state by the Bhuria Committee.

❖ Major Sadan-Associated Tribes

• Birjhia, Cheek Baraik, Godait, Karmali, Lohra, Mahli, Kisan, Asur, etc.

❖ Highlights of Major Tribes in Jharkhand

▸ Oraon

• Occupation: Farming; now also in industry and services.
• Literacy (2011):
  • Total: 67%
  • Male: 72.9%
  • Female: 52.4%
• Religion: Traditional and Christian (due to missionary influence).

▸ Munda

• Race: Australoid
• Language: Mundari (Austro-Asiatic)
• Population (2011): 12,29,221
• Residence: 89.6% rural
• Key traditions:
  • Chief: Hatumunda
  • Council: Padha, led by Padha Raja
  • Deity: Singbonga
• Marriage rules:
  • No intra-tribe or same-gotra marriage.
  • Widow remarriage allowed.
• Literacy (2011): 62.6%

▸ Kharwar

• Regions: Palamu, Latehar, Garhwa, Lohardaga, Ranchi.
• Family: Patriarchal.
• Marriage: Inter-gotra mandatory; child marriage exists.
• Occupation: Agriculture, hunting, labor.
• Literacy (2011): 56.4%

▸ Kharia

• Subgroups: Hill, Dhelki, Doodh Kharia
• Population (2011): 1,96,135
• Village governance: Padha and Doklo Sohor
• Chief: Pradhan
• Marriage: Gotra system, but intra-gotra allowed.
• Literacy: 65.9%

▸ Vedia

• Origin: Possibly related to Kurmi or Munda.
• Residence: Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Singhbhum.
• Marriage: Endogamy prohibited; bride price system.
• Literacy: 58%

▸ Bhumij

• Origin: Subgroup of Munda.
• Region: Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Singhbhum.
• Marriage: No same-gotra or inter-caste marriage.
• Population (2011): 2,09,448

▸ Big Tribe

• Region: Singhbhum
• Population (2011): 3,464
• Occupation: Forest products, labor.

▸ Lohara

• Clan: Descendants of Asur.
• Traditional work: Iron smelting.
• Population (2011): 2,16,226
• Literacy: 56.2%

▸ Mahli

• Clan: Dravidian
• Occupation: Bamboo and wood products.
• Sub-castes: Bamboo Mahli, Silkhi Mahli, Tanti Mahli.
• Literacy (2011): 152,663 literate

Table 7.4 – Population of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)

S.No.	Name	Population (2001)	Population (2011)	Literacy Rate (%)
1	Birhor	7,514	10,726	34.5
2	Parhiya	20,786	25,585	33.1
3	Mal Pahadia	1,15,093	1,35,797	39.6
4	Sambar	6,004	9,688	33.7
5	Sauria Pahadia	31,050	46,222	39.7
6	Hill Kharia	1,64,022	1,96,135	65.9
7	Korba	27,177	35,606	37.9
8	Asur	10,347	22,459	46.9
9	Birjia	5,365	6,276	50.2

❖ PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups)

• Key PVTGs:
  • Mal Pahadia, Parhiya, Savar/Sanwar, Birjia, Birhor, Asur.
• Prominent populations:
  • Mal Pahadia: 1,35,797
  • Hill Kharia: 1,96,135

Scheduled Tribe Population Distribution (in Percentage)

District	Percentage (%)
Koderma	0.96%
Garhwa	15.54%
Palamu	9.34%
Chatra	12.13%
Giridih	9.74%
Deoghar	7.02%
Hazaribagh	7.02%
Ramgarh	21.19%
Bokaro	12.4%
Dhanbad	1.66%
Sahebganj	28.41%

Tribal Language, Festivals, Dance, Music, and Painting

Subject	Description
Languages	Santali, Mundari, Kurukh, Khortha, Nagpuriya, Sadri, Kharia, Pachparganiya, Ho, Malto, Karmali, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali
Festivals	Sarhul, Karma, Sohrai, Badna, Eid, Christmas, Holi, Dussehra
Folk Dances	Akhariya, Domkach, Jhumar, Fagua, Pawas
Musical Instruments	Mandar, Dhol, Dhak, Dhamsa, Flute, Kartal, Shehnai etc.
Paintings	Santali Wall Paintings, Oraon Wall Paintings

Additional Information

• Region: Santhal Pargana
• Population (2011): 32,786
• Literacy Rate: 55.5%
• Marriage Tradition: Exogamous (outside the same clan)
• Death Rites: Burial tradition