Indigenous philosophy and knowledge have evolved from simple mental states, theological stage (fetishism, polytheism, monotheism) to metaphysical stage to
positive stage which include causes and effects.
Experiences cumulated over thousands of years manifest in the tribal lifestyle and legends, folk songs and tales, customs, traditions, rhythm, music, food habits and their socio-economic, cultural-traditional and psychological medicinal practices.
Tribal Philosophy includes Majumdar's theory of Bongaism, Mysticism theory of Haur, Sociological Theory of Durkheim, Herbert Spencer’s theory of ancestral worship, E.B. Tylors theory of animism and manaism. It also includes the theory of isostasy.
According to Roy Burman (1971), there are 427 types of tribe in India, however with the addition of union territories, there are 565 types of tribes. At present, 632 tribes reside in various regions of India. They differ partially in terms of their practices but all these societies derive their cultural thoughts from the philosophy of coexistence with nature.
According to George Abraham Grierson (Linguistic Survey of India, 1898-1928), some tribes belong to Austro-Asiatic linguistic family or, Munda linguistic group and it includes Munda, Santhal, Ho, Kharia, Bhumij, Birjia, Asur, Lohra, Kora, Lodha, Korwa, Agharia, Birhor, Juang, Kol, Turi, Bondo, Saora Korku, Remo, Kherwar etc. Currently they reside in the Indian states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Maharashtra etc. and their population is estimated to be one crore. They are also scattered across the countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Southern China etc.
Munda / Mundari speaking people have distinct folktales, folk songs, folk ways, folk traditions and customs for different events, festivals and socio-economic and cultural- religious activities.
At the time of Buru (Hill) Festival (November – December), they worship of Buru Bonga (Hill God) / supernatural power and pray: -
Mar! Buru Bonga Gowarijan peyale. - Oh! Hill Supernatural Power.
Midre dub Kowpe, We invite and request you all to sit together,
Jaru Kowpe, Japagar Kowpe. gossip together and discuss together.
Ena le gowari tana ena le arji tana! That is all we wish and pray!
Manowa Honko, Chere Chiprub Ko, - We need your blessings for the betterment of
Daru Sing Ko, Bugi Leka Le Tainka human being, flora and fauna.
Mar! Akda Buru, Sukuwan Buru, - Oh! Akda hill, Sukuwan hill,
Kutam Buru, Humtah Buru, Kutam hill, Humtah hill,
Gonrakin-Marakin Buru. Gonrakin-Marakin hill
Gowarijan peyale Mid re jaru kowpe, - We invite and request you all to sit together,
jowar-japagar Kowpe gossip together and discuss together.
Rimbil jawri Awye pe, Janti Awye pe, - Arrange and bring clouds
gongor Awye pe. together in large.
Rimbil Alope Otanya, - Don’t let the winds carry them away,
Dah bugi Leka Sangi-Sangi Gamay Ka. - so that heavy rains come.
Dali, Kode enga, baba enga, jondra, Gudlu Ko, - Food grains like kodo, paddy, millet,
maize may
Bugi leka hoba kan tainka, - grow and flourish,
Jom natin alo kale balayo. - So that food is in surplus.
Ena le gowari tana, Ena le arji tana! - That is all we wish and pray!
Munda have folktales and beliefs regarding Sarna and settlement of the village. According to them1 : To observe nature’s activities, our ancestors left portions of forest around the village for worship which is called “SARNA” i.e Ba Sarna, Buru Sarna, Jaher Sarna, Desauli Sarna, Hatu Sarna etc. On the occasion of Ba/Baha/Khaddi(Sarhul) festival and sarna worship (march to June) they pray and chant some words, for example:
Mar! sirma ren sing bonga, - Oh! Supernatural power of the sky
ote ren ote enga, and the earth,
Gowarijan peyale haram-budi koloh mid re - we invite you all and request you to
dub kope, jarukope, jowar- japagar kope. sit together with our ancestors,
gossip together, discuss together.
Ena le gowari tana, enalearji tana! - That is all we wish and pray!
Tising do le ba tana, Rasika te, ba kowpe. - Today we are celebrating Sarhul,we wish
that you all celebrate the festival with joy.
Mar! sarna ren bonga ko, - Oh! Supernatural powers (Bongas) of the
Sarna,
lai hasu, boh hasu, kata hasu, - Ward away all the diseases:
rog-duku ko jirgidi, thapa gidi, stomach ache, headache, leg ache.
otang gidiape.
Ena le gowari tana, ena le arji tana! - That is all we wish and pray!
Mar! sarna ren bonga ko, - Oh! Supernatural powers (Bongas) of
the Sarna.
Bir-kandar re, sanga naari, bandu naari, - Let fruits, flowers and herbs bloom and
ba-jo ko bugileka hoba kan tainka. grow in the forest for us.
Further they say for their descendants:
Sarna reya daru kabu mageya, - Never cut the Sarna’s trees.
Da kayegamaya. - Rains will cease.
Desauli sarna reya daru kabu mageya, - Never cut the trees of Desauli Sarna.
Rog hijuwa. - Diseases will descend upon the earth.
Ba sarna reya daru kabu mageya, - Never cut the tree of “Ba” (flower) Sarna,
Dumbur rase ka namowa. - We will not get honey.
Buru sarna reya daru kabu mageya, - Never cut the tree of Buru Sarna,
Hoyo da barabari ka taina. - Environment will be unbalanced.
Jaher reya daru kabu mageya, - Never cut the trees of Jaher,
Kula chanki buway, kula jom buway. - Tiger will attack us, tiger will eat us.
Thus, tribal philosophy is inherent in their collection, hunting, fishing, marriage, family, kinship, folklore, folkways, folktales, customs, traditions, totems, taboo, health and hygiene, political organization, and social control.
Notes:
1. Dr. Subhas Chandra Munda (P.P. College, Bundu, R.U.), Soma Singh Munda
(Ex- Assistant Director, TRI, Ranchi), Budhanlal Munda (Ex-Teacher, Reladih, Bundu), Gobardhan Munda (Fatehpur, Kudagara – 343, Ranchi), Late Lego Munda, Late Sanika Munda, Late Budhu Singh Munda, Late Siban Munda, Late Sohan Munda, Late Rajkishore Munda (Fatehpur, Kudagara-343, Ranchi) and Late Pundi Munda (Dimra, Pundidiri, Tamar, Ranchi).
References:
Bodding, P.O., 2007: Santhal Folk Tales, Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi.
Gupta , Satya Prakash, 1976, The Asur, Bihar Tribal Welfare Research Institute, Ranchi (Bihar).
Hoffman, Rev. John and Other, 1990: First Reprint, Encyclopedia Mundarica (In 16 Volumes) Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi.
Munda, Satya Narayan, 2000: Jharkhand Ki Virasat Evam Vikas, Virati Awasan M.I.G. (U) 11/12, Nimta Kolkatta – 700049
Patel, M.L. , 1914: Awareness In Weaker Society (Perceptive Development And Prospectus), M.D. Publication, New Delhi.
Prasad, N.1961: Land And People Of Tribal Bihar, Bihar Tribal Research Institute, Ranchi.
P.Ponnette, S.J., 1978: The Munda World Hoffman Commemoration
Volume, Catholic Press, Ranchi.
Roy S.C., 1912: Mundas And Their Country, Asian Publishing Kolkatta, Bombay.
Saran, A.B. , 1978: Tribal Studies, Ranchi.
Vidyarthi, Lalita Prasad, 1960: Bihar Ke Adivasi, Ranchi.