Jharkhand Culture & Tribes Notes for JPSC: Santhal, Munda, Oraon & More

Tribal Heritage and Cultural Identity of Jharkhand

Jharkhand is home to 32 tribal communities (including 8 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups — PVTGs), making it one of India's most culturally rich states. The tribal population constitutes approximately 26.2% of the state's total population (Census 2011). Understanding tribal society, festivals, art, and governance structures is critical for JPSC — an entire section of Mains GS Paper V is dedicated to Jharkhand society and culture.

Major Tribes of Jharkhand

• Santhal — The largest tribal group in Jharkhand and India. Concentrated in Santhal Pargana division (Dumka, Deoghar, Godda, Sahebganj, Pakur). Social structure based on the "Manjhi-Paragana" system where the Manjhi (village headman) and Paragana (inter-village chief) govern community affairs. The Santhal speak Santali (one of the 22 scheduled languages of India under the 8th Schedule, with its own script — Ol Chiki).
• Munda — The second largest tribe, concentrated in Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, and Simdega districts. Their "Manki-Munda" governance system is one of the world's oldest democratic institutions — the Munda is the village head, and the Manki presides over a group of villages (Parha). They practice the Khuntkatti system of communal land ownership. The Mundari language belongs to the Austro-Asiatic family.
• Oraon (Kurukh) — Third largest tribe, found in Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga, and Simdega. Linguistically distinct — they speak Kurukh, a Dravidian language, suggesting possible migration from South India. Known for the Dhumkuria youth dormitory system (similar to Morung of Naga tribes).
• Ho — Concentrated in West Singhbhum (Kolhan). Speak Ho language (Austro-Asiatic). Governed by the Manki-Munda system. Known for their martial traditions and resistance to British rule.
• Kharia — Found in Gumla, Simdega, and West Singhbhum. Three sub-groups: Dudh Kharia, Dhelki Kharia, and Hill Kharia (PVTG).
• Paharia (Sauria and Mal) — Hill tribes of Rajmahal Hills (Sahebganj, Godda). Classified as PVTG. Practice shifting cultivation (jhum).
• Birhor — Nomadic tribe classified as PVTG. Traditionally rope-making and monkey-hunting communities. Now largely settled but face severe population decline.
• Asur — Ancient iron-smelting tribe (PVTG). Their metallurgical traditions may date back to the Megalithic period. Found in Gumla, Lohardaga, and Netarhat areas.

Tribal Governance: The Parha System

Traditional tribal governance in Jharkhand operates at multiple levels:

• Village level — The Munda/Manjhi serves as village headman, managing land disputes, social issues, and community affairs through the village council (Atu/Hatu).
• Inter-village (Parha) — A group of villages forms a Parha under the Manki/Paragana. The Parha council adjudicates disputes between villages.
• Regional (Pir) — Cluster of Parhas for broader coordination.

This system predates colonial governance and continues to function alongside formal panchayat structures. The PESA Act 1996 legally recognizes these traditional institutions.

Festivals of Jharkhand

• Sarhul — The most important tribal festival, celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March-April) when the sal tree blooms. The village priest (Pahan) performs rituals at the Sarna Sthal (sacred grove), offering prayers to Marang Buru (supreme deity) and Jaher Era (forest deity). Only after Sarhul can new sal leaves and flowers be used. It marks the tribal New Year.
• Karma — Celebrated in Bhadra month (August-September) during the agrarian season. Young men and women dance around a branch of the Karam (Kadamba) tree planted ceremonially. Features the famous Karma dance with drums (Mandar/Nagara).
• Sohrai — Cattle worship festival celebrated after kharif harvest (October-November). Houses are decorated with distinctive Sohrai wall paintings (now recognized as an important art form). Cattle are washed, decorated, and worshipped.
• Tusu Parab — Harvest festival of Kurmi and other communities, celebrated around Makar Sankranti (January). Features Tusu songs composed by young women.
• Mage — Post-harvest festival celebrated with community feasting, song, and dance. Features the Jatra tradition.
• Baha (Flower Festival) — Santhal festival coinciding with sal flower season, celebrating nature and fertility.
• Jani Shikar / Sendra — Traditional communal hunting festivals. Though hunting is now banned, these festivals continue in symbolic form.

Art Forms

• Sohrai Painting — Ancient wall painting tradition using natural pigments (red/yellow ochre, black manganese, white kaolin) on mud walls. Motifs include animals, birds, geometric patterns, and nature. Traditionally created by women during Sohrai festival. Now receiving national and international recognition.
• Khovar Painting — Marriage-related wall art created on the walls of the bridal chamber. Features fertility symbols and nature motifs.
• Chhau Dance (Seraikela) — A mask dance form combining martial arts, folk, and classical elements. Seraikela Chhau uses masks (unlike Purulia and Mayurbhanj variants). Listed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2010). Themes drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and nature.
• Paika Dance — Martial dance form of the Ho tribe, performed with swords and shields.
• Jhumar Dance — Performed during festivals with rhythmic movements, accompanied by Mandar drums.
• Domkach — Wedding dance performed at the groom's house during marriage ceremonies.

Languages of Jharkhand

Jharkhand has remarkable linguistic diversity:

• Scheduled languages: Santali (Ol Chiki script), Hindi, Urdu, Bengali
• Regional languages: Nagpuri (Sadani), Khortha, Kurmali, Panchpargania, Ho, Mundari, Kurukh (Oraon), Kharia
• Jharkhand's Official Language Act (2011) recognizes Hindi and Urdu as official languages, with several tribal and regional languages given additional recognition.

Sarna Religion

The majority of Jharkhand's tribes follow the Sarna faith, a nature-worshipping religion centered on sacred groves (Sarna Sthal). Key features:

• Worship of nature — trees (especially sal), rivers, mountains, sun, and moon
• Supreme deity: Singbonga (Sun God) / Marang Buru (Great Mountain)
• Village deity: Jaher Era (Lady of the Sacred Grove)
• No idol worship; rituals performed in sacred groves by the Pahan (village priest)
• Animal sacrifice in some rituals
• There is a long-standing demand for a separate "Sarna" code in the Census, distinct from Hindu/Christian/Other categories.