Customs

“We have a song for every situation. We feel money takes away from the enjoyment of life. But to earn a livelihood, people have to learn other languages.” – Santal teacher Pada Murmu interviewed by Nandini Nair (OPEN Magazine, 13 January 2017)
https://openthemagazine.com/features/dispatch/santali-talking-time/
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=21581

eJournal | Story-telling as sacred ritual: The Creation Myth of the Santals as accepted by contemporary Santal society – Jharkhand & West Bengal

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The Creation Myth of the Santals by Ivy Hansdak Folklore Foundation Lokaratna Volume VIII 2015pp. 14-18 1. | To read the full article and other contributions, click here >> “This paper will apply some theoretical approaches of Myth Studies to the study of the Santal creation myth, particularly those formulated by Mircea Eliade. […] A myth may … Read more

eJournal | Lokaratna eMagazine – Odisha

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Lokaratna is a refereed e-journal of the Folklore Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha in India. The purpose of the journal is to explore the rich cultural tradition of Odisha for a wider readership as well as to explore the global cultural understanding through this effort. Any scholar across the globe interested in contributing on any aspect of … Read more

A richly textured debut novel on Santal customs: “The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey” – Jhar­khand

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Manjul Bajaj, Outlook Magazine, 14 February 2014 | Read the full review here >> Witchcraft and tribal rituals loop through Santhal lives in a Jharkhand doctor’s richly textured debut novel. Hansda Sowendra Shekhar’s debut novel The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey is a loving and careful recounting of the Santhal way of life. Spanning several decades … Read more

Leisure time in a Santal village: A large mural created by village artists to express their cultural identity – West Bengal

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Enjoying Palm Juice At the end of a village three Santal men sit under a Banyan tree and are happily drinking fermented juice of the tal, a commonly seen palm tree. In the summer, the men climb on the trees to collect the refreshing juice from the tree’s buds in earthen pots. A goat is … Read more

Creator of stylized ornate statuettes to be played as instruments: Santal master craftsman Som Murmu – West Bengal

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To read the full article or view more photos and video clips, click here >> Som Murmu, a 60 year old Santal cultivator and master craftsman from Birbhum, has been a wood carver for over forty years.  In his youth, he tried his hand working with various media including straw, bamboo, clay tiles, asbestos and … Read more