Santal people

too significant to ignore.

Where the local Santal communities, as Beglar noted, they used these temples for centuries and they knew all about their sacredness.

Yet their voices were silenced and the dam displaced all of them, totally erasing their history.

Where the dam submerged 34,000 acres, the Santals, the indigenous tribal group in the region, were all displaced, forcing all of them to relocate.

These would have been the people to ask about what this is and what happened here.

And they didn't give them an adequate rehabilitation.

I wonder why.

Joseph David Beglar, he documented the Santals had a deep connection to the site, using it for communal and spiritual gatherings.

But each time she needed help, someone unexpected came along.

This is our adaptation of a traditional story from the rich oral storytelling traditions of the Santal people of India.

Alright then, get comfortable, settle in and let's begin.

Long ago, in a village surrounded by forests and fields, there lived a girl with her six brothers.

And sometimes a little kindness can change the whole story.

And that was a little help from unexpected friends.

This is a traditional Santal folk tale from the rich oral storytelling traditions of the Santal people of India.

Stories like this have been passed down through generations, carrying with them the experiences, imagination and wisdom of the communities that told them.

All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Folklore of the Santal Parganas Translated by Cecil Henry Bompas of the Indian Civil Service LibriVox Volume 1 Preface Recorded by Maria Celano the santals are a munda tribe a branch of that aboriginal element which probably entered india from the north-east at the present day they inhabit the eastern outskirts of the chutia nag pura plateau originally hunters and dwellers in the jungle they are still but indifferent agriculturists like the mundas and hoes and other representatives of the race they are jovial in character fond of their rice beer and ready to take a joke Their social organization is very complete.

Each village has its headman, or manji, with his assistant, the paranik.

The jagmangi is charged with the supervision of the morals of the young men and women.

The godet is the village constable.

Over a group of villages is the pargana, or tribal chief.

the santals are divided into exogamous sects originally twelve in number and their social observances are complex e g while some relations treat each other with the greatest reserve between others the utmost freedom of intercourse is allowed their religion is animistic spirits bangas are everywhere around them the spirits of their ancestors the spirit of the house the spirit dwelling in the patch of primeval forest preserved in each village every hill tree and rock may have its spirit these spirits are propitiated by elaborate ceremonies and sacrifices which generally terminate in dances and the drinking of rice The Santal Parganas is a district 4,800 square miles in area lying about 150 miles north of Calcutta, and was formed into a separate administration after the Santals had risen in rebellion in 1856.

The Santals at present form about one-third of the population.

The Moods of Mr. George Moore 10.

On Santals and Simplicity 11.

Science and the Savages 12.

Paganism and Mr. Lowes Dickinson Thirteen, Celts and Celtophiles.

Joseph David Beglar.

He documented the Santals had a deep connection to the site, using it for communal and spiritual gatherings.

I would love to know what this group knew.

And it is no wonder that they weren't given proper rehabilitation after being forced to leave.