Culture of Jharkhand

Jharkhand is a place renowned for its copious cultural feats. Damodar River, Mayurakshi River, River Barakar, Koyal River, Sankh River, flows through out the region. These ameliorate the state with the bounty of flora and fauna. Vananchal, as it is popularly known , is also famous for its mineral and forest resources.

Jharkhand is a newly formed state, which has been segregated from Bihar. It, thus, witnessed transmigration of various people from West Bengal and Bihar, retaining their individual cultural traits intact. Thus this conglomeration of tribal culture thus ameliorates the culture of Jharkahand. Music , festivals, handicrafts, dance and other salient cultural elements cuisine and lifestyle of Jharkhandis corroborate the above proclamation.

 

The cultural elements of Jharkhand are below:

     

    • Cuisine

    We cannot know the culture of Jharkhand without throwing some light of the cuisine of the region. Due to the wide prevalence of Bhuddism and its religious practices among the Jharkhandis , the preference of vegetarian foods is inevitable. Staple foods of the people of Jharkhand are wheat and rice. Primarily mustardoil is used as a medium of cooking The region is nutrified by the ample growth of different types of Vegetables. These, again, are being cooked in varied ways by the Jharkahndis. A regular meal comprises of dal, rice, phulka (roti), tarkari (sabzi) and achar (pickles). Each season brings with it the growing of various fruits and vegetables and it is the Jharkhandis who rightly have incorporated these seasons' gifts in open hands.

    Prominent characteristic element of Bihari cuisine is their 'chhonkna' (tadka) with 'panchforan' (a mix of five seeds - saunf, sarson, methi, ajwain and mangraila). The people of Jharkand have developed the habit of frying the food . Spices and coloring are added to the dishes of Jharkahndi cuisine .

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  • Costume

Most of the men of the tribal community of tribal groups like Paharis and the Santhals follow similar dress code which is distinct in appearance. The most common dress of the men of
Jharkhand is a single piece of cloth known as Bhagwan. However the non tribal people of the state generally opt for kurta and pyjamas. The non-tribal women just like the men opt for
modern costumes and most commonly wear a sari and a blouse. But however the tribal costume are the Panchi and Parhan. Tussar silk sarees, manufactured in Jharkhand are quite
famous among the women and which are bestowed with vibrant colours and traditional patterns depicting tribal dances and generally the culture. The women also adorn themselves with
gold and silver ornaments and at times the beaded ones. The major types of jewelry that they wear are neck pieces, earrings and ornaments worn on the wrists and other parts of the
arm. They have lot of affinity for perfumes and their brilliant aromas.

 

  • Music & Dances

Folk music and dance are part and parcel of the culture of Jharkhand. Simple and humdrum populace of tribal communities are infested with various social problems and difficulties which find an expression in their 'desi' music styles. 'Jhumar' has been derived from the word 'Jhum' which means to sway. Although the content of these songs is diverse, they are commonly based on the theme of love and romance. Akhariya Domkach, Dohari Domkach, Janani Jhumar Dance, Mardana Jhumar, Faguwa, Udasi, Pawas, Daidhara, Pahilsanjha, Adhratiya, Vinsariya, Pratkali, Jhumta etc are some folk music. These are often sung in accompaniment of musical instruments like Singa, Bansuri, Arbansi, and Sahnai. Rungtu Ghasi Ram, Ghasi Mahant are some eminent musicians who emerged from this Indian state.

Folk dance forms too bear the proof of the culture of Jharkhand. Paika Dance, Chaw, Jadur, Karma, Nachni, Natua, Agni, Choukara, Santhal, Jamda, Ghatwari, Matha, Sohrai, Lurisayro etc. Paika is a form of martial dance popular among the paikas Jharkhand region. They practice this dance in 'paika akh-adas' of their villages, Joy , fun, amusement are integral part of the tribal dancing of Jharkhand .

Folk dance forms too bear the proof of the culture of Jharkhand. Paika Dance, Chaw, Jadur, Karma, Nachni, Natua, Agni, Choukara, Santhal, Jamda, Ghatwari, Matha, Sohrai, Lurisayro etc. Paika is a form of martial dance popular among the paikas Jharkhand region. They practice this dance in 'paika akh-adas' of their villages, Joy , fun, amusement are integral part of the tribal dancing of Jharkhand .

  • Festivals

The culture of Jharkhand stands nowhere without its rich treasure of ebullient festivals. The festivals like Sarhul, Karma, Sohrai, Badna, Tusu, Id, Christmas, Holi, Dussehra, etc are celebrated in Jharkhand with loads of fun and frolic.

Sarhul
Sarhul is observed at the spring time when the tribes appease the village gods and sought their protection and safety. Flower Sarhul is given as offerings; it also symbolizes friendship and brotherhood .The tribal priest disperses these flowers to every village household.

Banda
Culture of Jharkhand Badna is a popular festival held during 'Kartik Amavashya'. Animals are worshipped acknowledging their contributions to the society and also to pacify their destructive quality. The songs of this festival are popular as Ohira.

Tusu
Tusu is observed as the common festival celebrating harvest time during winter season in the last day of the month of 'Poush'. Rites and customs related to this festival are diligently maintained by the locales.

Hal Punhya
Held on the first day of the month of 'Magha', Hal Punhya is a winter festival celebrating the starting of ploughing. The day also symbolizes time to accumulate good luck and fate Rohin is probably the foremost folk festival .

 



  • Lifestyle

Lifestyle of Jharkhand
Lifestyle of the people of Jharkand is a must if we want to discuss about the culture of Jharkhand. It is a residence of 32 archaic tribes . Santhal Tribe, Asur Tribe, Banjara Tribe, Munda Tribe, Korwa Tribe are few among them.. Hindi and English are chief languages ; Urdu Language and Bengali Language and tribal languages like Santhali Language, Munda Language, Kurukh Language too are widely spoken . Jharkhandis arduously practice religions like Jainism , Hinduism and Christianity .

 

  • Arts & Crafts

Folk spirit defines the unique features of culture of Jharkand and what else can denote it than the art and crafts of the Jharkand. Woodcrafts of Jharkand are popular and various items like panels for doors, windows, wooden spoons have demands in the national market. Bamboo crafts made from a special thin and strong bamboo trees are in thing in household décor. The folk artists of Jharkhand area are expert in paitkar paintings. Masks too are made by the expert hands representing moral elemental passions, better known as tamasik. Special types of toys of abstract features are popular; these are wood chips painted to resemble like human chassis with angulated lines and no disjoined limbs.

 

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