Traditional Marriage Ritual of Santal Tribe of West Bengal, India

The Santals are an ethnic tribal group who mostly inhabit the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Chatisgarh, and Assam. There is also a sizable Santal minority in neighboring Bangladesh and a small population in Nepal. Santals constitute the largest group among tribal communities. They belong to the Proto-Australoid race. The settlement of Medinipur known as Santal was first mentioned in Walter Hamilton's narrative (1820). He said that in the jungles lived an impoverished, oppressed class known as Santals. Some believe the term 'Santal' originated from 'Saont' or 'Samanta'. Once, an area of East Medinipur was known as 'Samantabhum' or 'Saont'. Most likely, they were the original inhabitants of this region. They also mentioned this place 'Sant Disham' or 'Sant Desh' in their mythology. 'Santal' means inhabitant of 'Sant Desh'. The Santal tribe of India have a traditional tribal lifestyle. Forest trees and flora serve the basic needs of Santal tribe.The tribes are also engaged in fishing and cultivation. Theys are also skilled in the production of musical instruments, mats, baskets, and other crafts.The Santal tribe is divided mainly into twelve sects viz. Soren, Murmu, Mandi, Kisku, Hansda, Besra, Tudu, Baske, Hembrom, Pauria, Bedea and Choral. Each sect has a totem symbol of its own. The traditional marriage system in Santal tribe is a religious practice as a goddess of happiness and heaven. In this paper we see the different kinds of rituals which are practiced by the Santal tribe from hundred and thousand years in their marriage and remarriage.