|Many of several more or less distinct tribal groups inhabiting a broad belt in central and eastern India and speaking various Munda languages of the Austroasiatic stock. They numbered approximately 9,000,000 in the late 20thcentury. In the Chota
Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand, adjacent parts of West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, and the hill districts of Orissa, they form a numerically important part of the population.
Munda history and origins are matters of conjecture. The territory they now occupy was until recently difficult to reach and remote from the great centres of Indian civilization; it is hilly, forested, and relatively poor for agriculture. It is believed that the Munda were once more widely distributed but retreated to their present homelands with the advance and spread of peoples having a more elaborate culture. Nevertheless, they have not lived in complete isolation and share (with some tribal variation) many culture traits with other Indian peoples. Most Munda peoples are agriculturists. Along with their languages, the Munda have tended to preserve their own culture, although the government of India encourages their assimilation to the larger Indian society.
The Mundas are settled agriculturists. They also collect minor forest
products from forest to supplement their economy; Hunting, Fishing and
Animal husbandry are subsidiary to agriculture. They also work as
agricultural labourers and unskilled labourers.
The Mundas are an endogamous tribe. Within the tribe, there are a large
number of exogamous clans e.g. Bhengra, Bodra, Parti, Hansa, Kandru, Aind,
Jirhul, Mundari, Nimak Munda tribe belongs Proto-austroloid race and
speaks Mundari of Austro-Asiatic language family. They also speak Hindi,
Sadari and other local dialects. Amba, Balun, Gondli etc. Clan exogamy is
the rule among them; the Bride price is generally paid before the
marriage. The practice of widow marriage and divorce is common. The family
of Munda tribe is patrilineal, patrilocal and patriarchal.
The dormitory system called Gitiora was found among them, but now a days
this is out of practice.
The Munda believe in numerous Gods and Deities. Their supreme benevolent
God is called Singbonga. Next in importance are the presiding Deities of
the village namely Hatu Bogkao such as Desauli, Jaher Buri, Chandi Bonga
etc. These Deities are of significance during agricultural and hunting
operations. The Pahan, the village priest at Sarna, the sacred grove of
the village, worships them. Then come the ancestral spirits, the Ora
Bongako. Their blessings are invoked on every social and religious
ceremony like the Hatu Bongako, which calamities are sure to overpower
them. Apart from these, they appease and propitiate a large number of
malevolent spirits and ghosts on different occasions.
The Munda tribe celebrates several festivals like Mage, Phagu, Karam,
Sarhul, and Sohrai etc. Sarhul is the important festival of Mundas, which
is celebrated in the month of March-April. It is a festival of flowers. On
this ocassion Sal flowers are brought to the Sarna and Pahan propitiate
all Gods of the Mundas. Mage is celebrated in the Full Moon Day of Paush
month. The spirits of deceased ancestors are the main objects of worship.
Phagu festival is celebrated in the month of February-March. This is
characterized by communal hunt. The village Deity is worshipped on this
occasion. As it corresponds with Holi festival they sprinkle colour on
other. Karma festival is celebrated in the month of August-September for
the prosperity of the village. The Karam sapling is brought from the
forest by an unmarried male, singing and dancing. They are planted in the
village. They take rice beer and dance for the whole night. Sohrai is
celebrated in the month of October-November. In the night, lamps are
lighted. On the following morning, the cattle shed is washed and sprinkled
with rice beer.
Historians are of the view that the Munda tribes have originated from
Koal living in Bindhya Parvat. Most Mundas are now found in Bihar. They
have many similarities with Santhals. Despite being agriculturists they
have good hands in hunting. Cultural life of Mundas resembles that of
Santhals. Munda boys and girls perform song and dance in the villages.
Three festivals they celebrate every year are Jadur,Lasur and Gena. They
choose these occasions to perform dance and also perform Jhumurdance.Yatra
( open theatre ) is another popular item of recreation among the
Mundas.They celebrate Dolpurnima with much fanfair when the Munda boys go
out for hunting in the night.They mignated to Tripura mainly a tea garden
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