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10.3.6 Bapla (Marriage Ceremony)
At least seven forms of marriages are in practice among Santals and these are –
Kirin bahu bapla, Tunki dipil bapla, Sanga, Ghardi jawae bapla, Kirin jawae bapla,
Itut bapla and Nir balak bapla. Among these marriages, the most widely practiced
and respected form of marriage is Kirin bahu bapla. Beside this, Tunki dipil bapla
is the most common form of marriage practiced by relatively economically poor
family where no bride price is required. Marriage between a widower or a divorced
man and a widow and a divorced woman is under the marriage system of Sanga.
When the bridegroom lives in the house of the father-in-law, the marriage is known
as Ghardi jawe bapla. On the other hand, when a husband is acquired for a girl
impregnated by a Santal man who could marry her, the rite of the marriage follows
the Kirin jawae bapla type. Itut bapla is occurred when a girl is powerfully taken
away and then married. Another forcibly marriage rite is Nir balak bapla, but in this
case the bride had been sexually assaulted by the bridegroom before marriage.
10.3.7 Bhandan (Death Rite)
Cremation of death body always takes place near to a pond or bank of a stream. After
5 days of death, tel nahan, a small funeral ceremony is observed. In this ceremony, a
hen and handia (a country beer fermented from rice) are offered to Marang Buru,
their God and their ancestors. Thereafter, final funeral ceremony Bhandhan is
arranged, which is the final farewell to the departed soul from the world of the mortals.
10.3.8 Economy
Economy of the Santals is purely agriculture based. In Purulia district, they are
mostly permanent agriculturist. Landless Santals are engaged mainly as agricultural
labour and in few pockets as industrial labourer. Among all tribal communities,
Santals comparatively have high literacy level. Educated Santal men presently are
employed in the service sectors as doctors, teachers, bank employees, etc. Beside
these, Santals particularly living in the remote areas like upland regions of Bagmundi
and Bundwan of Purulia district are dependent heavily on minor forest products to
sustain their life and livelihood.
10.3.9 Sendra (Hunting)
Hunting is considered by the Santals as a part and parcel of their lives. Dihri who
acts as priest has directed the hunt. “On the day of hunting, the able-bodied men of
10 Socio-ecological Niche of Tribes of Purulia District, West Bengal, India
10.3.6 Bapla (Marriage Ceremony)
At least seven forms of marriages are in practice among Santals and these are –
Kirin bahu bapla, Tunki dipil bapla, Sanga, Ghardi jawae bapla, Kirin jawae bapla,
Itut bapla and Nir balak bapla. Among these marriages, the most widely practiced
and respected form of marriage is Kirin bahu bapla. Beside this, Tunki dipil bapla
is the most common form of marriage practiced by relatively economically poor
family where no bride price is required. Marriage between a widower or a divorced
man and a widow and a divorced woman is under the marriage system of Sanga.
When the bridegroom lives in the house of the father-in-law, the marriage is known
as Ghardi jawe bapla. On the other hand, when a husband is acquired for a girl
impregnated by a Santal man who could marry her, the rite of the marriage follows
the Kirin jawae bapla type. Itut bapla is occurred when a girl is powerfully taken
away and then married. Another forcibly marriage rite is Nir balak bapla, but in this
case the bride had been sexually assaulted by the bridegroom before marriage.
10.3.7 Bhandan (Death Rite)
Cremation of death body always takes place near to a pond or bank of a stream. After
5 days of death, tel nahan, a small funeral ceremony is observed. In this ceremony, a
hen and handia (a country beer fermented from rice) are offered to Marang Buru,
their God and their ancestors. Thereafter, final funeral ceremony Bhandhan is
arranged, which is the final farewell to the departed soul from the world of the mortals.
10.3.8 Economy
Economy of the Santals is purely agriculture based. In Purulia district, they are
mostly permanent agriculturist. Landless Santals are engaged mainly as agricultural
labour and in few pockets as industrial labourer. Among all tribal communities,
Santals comparatively have high literacy level. Educated Santal men presently are
employed in the service sectors as doctors, teachers, bank employees, etc. Beside
these, Santals particularly living in the remote areas like upland regions of Bagmundi
and Bundwan of Purulia district are dependent heavily on minor forest products to
sustain their life and livelihood.
10.3.9 Sendra (Hunting)
Hunting is considered by the Santals as a part and parcel of their lives. Dihri who
acts as priest has directed the hunt. “On the day of hunting, the able-bodied men of
10 Socio-ecological Niche of Tribes of Purulia District, West Bengal, India