THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Jharkhand has rich cultural traditions and customs. The tribes of Jharkhand consist of over 30 tribes inhabiting the state in India. The state will not only introduce the tourists to the unparalleled beauties of nature but will allow them to explore and learn about the diverse culture and lifestyle of the tribal community living here.
Cultural wealth of Jharkhand
Jharkhand culture is rich and diverse and as a result unique in its very own way. The culture treats guests as God and serves them and takes care of them as if they are a part and parcel of the family itself. Archaeologists have unearthed pre-Harappa pottery, pre-historic cave paintings and rock art from various parts of Jharkhand. That hints at ancient, cultured civilizations inhabiting these parts. The intricate woodwork, the paitkar paintings, tribal ornaments, stone carvings, dolls and figurines, masks and baskets, all point towards the cultural wealth of Jharkhand existed even before the Harappa age.
Jharkhand a multi-ethnic state
Jharkhand has 26.3% tribal population of the total population in the state belonging to 32 different groups. Santal, Munda and Ho are the dominant tribal groups in this area. They protect and conserve the plant and animal diversity in the landscape through their religious belief system which encompasses the concept of totemism, sacred trees and groves. Many tribes have inhabited this part of the country because of this the state has emerged as an important multi-ethnic state.
Jharkhand has indigenous communities among which some of the major tribes are the Santhals, Oraons, Mundas, Kharias, Hos, and Cheros, Asur, Baiga, Banjara, Bathudi, Bedia, Binjhia , Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Chik Baraik, Karmali, Kharia, Kharwar, Gorait, Ho, Gond, Khond, Kisan, Kora, Korwa, Lohra, Mahli, Mal Pahariya, , Sauria, Paharia, Savar, Parhaiya, Bhumij, Kol, Kanwar
Being a tribe dominated state each sub-caste and tribe have its unique tradition. Nature has been given the utmost importance in every sphere of life and culture. The life of tribal people is reflected in their folk dances, paintings, music, dance, and drama.
Colourful festivals
The communities of Jharkhand have a rich culture and tradition with several colourful festivals. Branches of sacred trees are brought and ceremonially planted in the courtyards. Devotees then worship these tree parts associated with gods and goddesses. Karma puja, Jitis puja, Sarhul are a few of these examples.
Poush Mela or Tusu Fair is a significant occasion celebrated during the Makar Sankranti wherein brightly colored and decorated artifacts of folk deity are carried by the people. This is a folk harvesting festival. Tusu is a folk belief, not about any God or Goddess, but about a sweet little girl of the tribal folk. The festival takes place as new crops are harvested. Some of the tribal festivals are also celebrated with much enthusiasm, like Karma, Sohrai, Sarhul, Mage Porob, Hal Punya. These are mostly cattle festivals, harvest festivals, or seasonal festivals.
Folk Music and Dance
The Folk Music and Dance of Jharkhand is a treat to the eyes and filled with extreme talent and art. The tribal community plays a vital role in bringing and maintaining the charisma of this music and dance. Some of the famous folk dances of Jharkhand are Jhumair, Fagua, Paika, Janani Jhumair, Vinsariya, Mardana Jhumair, Domkach, Chhau, Lahasua, Jhumpa, Mundari, and Santali dance.
Some of the popular tribal dances of Jharkhand are Hunta Dance, Mundari Dance, Barao Dance, Jitia Karam, Jenana Jhumur, Mardani Jhumur, Seraikella Chhau, Ghora Naach, Domkach, Laha Suya, Jhitka and Danga. The official language of Jharkhand is Hindi and is mostly spoken among people while the state converse in several other languages like Bengali, Angika, Kurukh, Mundari, Santali, and Ho.
Jharkhand cuisines
Traditional dishes of Jharkhand may not be available at restaurants. However, on a visit to a local village, one can get a chance to taste such exotic foods. dal pitha, patra pitha, dumbu pitha are some of the tribal dishes
Dhuska – Dhuska is most common snack, these are made of wet ground Rice and Chana Daal (chickpea ). The wet mix is then deep fried and eaten along with potato or meat curry.
ARSA – Jharkhand is famous for its Arsa, this snack is more prominent in the villages of eastern India, made with rice flour, coconut, fennel seeds, etc. These comes in 2 varieties one made with white sugar and the other made with jaggery. The mixed concussion is deep fried in oil and served to the guests.
Rugra and Putoo are mushroom types that are grown in Jharkhand and harvested during the time of the rainy season. They also use Bamboo shoots as a vegetable. Some of the drinks of Jharkhand people are pej (Baiga community), Handi or Hadiya which is commonly known as rice beer (Sadan community), and Mahua Daru which is made from flowers of the Mahua Tree.
Paintings and Tattoo Art
The Banjara community has Banjara embroidery and tattooing which is a very important part of their culture. During the Sohrai festival, Sohrai Painting is performed. Chauu masks are made of paper mache in parts of Jharkhand. Chauu is a type of dance performed with colourful masks. Jharkhand state is rich in Saal forests and hence the wooden work is very famous in some parts of the state. Baskets, hunting & fishing equipment made from Bamboo are much famous in Netarhat.
Tattooing holds a very important part in the lives of the tribes. The women of the Baiga tribe have tattoos on all parts of their bodies. Most of the tribes get their body tattooed during the winter and continues until the summer season comes. The Gond Tribe also tattoo their body; they consider the tattoo as a permanent part of their life and thinks that it is the only thing that goes on with them after their life. The Korwa Tribe men and women also get tattoos in the places where mostly ornaments are worn like on the wrists, legs, neck, above the breasts, and ankles. They avoid having tattoos on the back and the forehead.
Among the most delicate, fragile, beautiful and threatened indigenous tradition of India are for example, the Kohvar and Sohrai paintings, which are sacred, secular and relevant to a woman’s world. This is the part practiced exclusively by married women, during weddings and at harvest time, and the skill and the information is handed down to younger females of the clan. Comb-cut of finger-painted Kohvar art celebrates marriage, and the wall-painted Sohrai, bumper crops. Elaborate design motifs, animal and plant forms, fertility motifs are abundant and often echo ancient cave art found in the surrounds. The colours used are all natural shades, red oxide from stone, red ochre, kaolin white, manganese black earth etc.
The art of craftsmanship in Jharkhand
Superb craftsmen for generations, the tribal communities of Jharkhand have created and perfected exquisite works of art based in the rich and unique natural resources of the land.
Jharkhand abounds in forests that have a variety of wood for producing several articles of household use. The wood craftsperson of this region carve various attractive articles like door panels, boxes and windows, wooden spoons etc. for household use. The Slender strong and supple bamboo is sculpted into beautiful and practical articles such as door panels, boxes, spoons, hunting and fishing equipment, boat-shaped baskets, rice huskers and bowls that are smeared with pink and leaf-green powder on ritual occasions.
‘Pattal plated and bowls made from ‘sal’ leaves and ‘Sabai ghaas’ are used widely during wedding and other festivities. ‘Sabal ghaas’ or wild grass is woven into bowls, pens-stands, coaster and mats, or dyed and woven into intricate and colourful boxes, dolls, table mats and Christmas tree decorations. Chaibasa region is famous for these.
Metal Masterpieces
Dokra, the ancient metal craft which has caught the interest and attention of the worldwide artistic community, is practised by the Malhar and Tentri tribes of Jharkhand.
Primarily created from brass scrap, the objects have a core of clay concealed within the metal casting. Hand-crafted, intricately worked figurines, village tableaux, drummers, elephants with howdahs, oil lamps, peacocks – the range is as creative and varied as the imagination and skill of the crafts person. No Dokra sculpture is an exact duplicate of another- each one is authentic and original.
Folk Music includes Akhariya Domkach, Dohari Domkach, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Faguwa, Udasi, Pawas, Daidhara, Pahilsanjha, Adhratiya, Vinsariya, Pratkali, Jhumta etc.
Folk dances include Paika, Chaw, Jadur, Karma, Nachni, Natua, Agni, Choukara, Santhal, Jamda, Ghatwari, Matha, Sohrai, Lurisayro etc.
Instruments commonly used in Jharkhand area are Bansuri, Arbansi, Sahnai, Madanvari, Singa, Sankh Mandar, Dhol, Dhak, Dhamsa, Nagara, Damama, Karha, Tasa, Jurinagra, Visamdhanki, Thapchanchu, Kartal, Jhanjh, Thala, Manjhira, Ghanta
