Santal [ संताली-Kherwar] are mostly available in West Bengal and their numbers are around 16,66,610 as per the 1981 census. Santhals are divided in 12 following clans:
- KISKU
- HASDA
- MURMU
- MANDI
- HEMBROM
- SOREN
- BASKE
- BESRA
- CHONRE
- PAURIA
- TUDU
- BEDIA
The above clans are again subdivided into ‘khunt’. Each clan has its own totem or spirit, such as Hasda has a Duck Spirit and Besrahas a hawk spirit[Bunga]. Chando Bonga or Marang Buru is the Supreme God and Deity of the Santhals.
Before introduction of the ol-chiki by Pandit Raghunath Murmu and recognition by the Government, Santhals used Bangala, Oriya and Hindi Devanagari Script for writings.
Santhalivocabulary pattern[Words for ‘Relationship’]
Aunt-kaki
Brother-boyha
Daughter-biti
Father in law-honjhar baba
Father-baba
Friend- gaate
Grand Father-godom hadam
Grand Mother- odom budhi
Guest-peda
Husband-jaway gomke
Love-dulad
Maternal Aunt- mami
Maternal Grandfather-godom hadam
Maternal Grandmother -godom budhi
Maternal Sister – hili
Maternal Uncle -mama
Mother in law-honjhar ayo
Mother-ayo
Mother’s sister- kaka
Own-nijor
Preceptor-guru
Pupil-auchet
Relative -nijor peda
Sister in law-iril kudi (dewrani)
Sister in law-iril kudi (nonod)
Sister in law – iril kudi (sali)
Sister – bokoing kudi
Son in law – jaway gomke
Son – beta
Step Brother – chutki bokoenj
Step Daughter – chutki bokoenj era
Step Father – kat baba
Step Mother – chutki ayo
Step Sister – chutki bokoenj kudi
Step Son – chutki hopon
Teacher – mauchet
Uncle – kaka
The pattern of Santhali language
- Oh hello, Welcome – ओह हजुक्मे-हजुक्मे
- Thank you very much-आ़डी-आ़डी सारहाव
- No- No-बाङ-बाङ
- How are you-चित्लिका मिनामा
- I am fine-इञ ठीक गी मिनाञा
- Yes, ofcourse-जरूर, जरूर
- Do you need anything-जाहांनाक् जरूड़ामा आम?
- No thanks-चित् हों बाङ
- Please take-नोओ़य हातावमे
Santali syllabus for UGC Net Examination[Hindi]
Literary facts:
Santhali Literature: Hor kahniko, Bentha katha and Sereng.
Santhali drama was introduced in Santhali literature by Pandit Raghunath Murmu’s Bidu Chandan and Kherwal Bir in 1942/1946.
Names of some Santhali writers: Badal Hembram, Kherwal Soren, Jamadar Kisku, Nirmala Putul, Sowendra Sekhar Hansda, Regina Marandi, Ajun Chandra Hembrom, Gangadhar Hansda.
References :
- Adibasi Sahitya Abong Sanskriti – Dr. Ramdyal Munda
- Darege Dhon – Pndt.Raghunath Murmu
- Hor Hopon – Badha Beshra
- Hor Ror R Sawhed reyak nagam – S. Hansda
- Kudum – Dherendranath Baskey
- Men Katha Ar Bhenta Katha – Siron Murmu
- Men Khata Ar Bhenta Katha – Dherendranath Baskey
- Ranor – Pandt. Raghunath Murmu
- Santal Gana Sangramer Itihas – Dherendranath Baskey
- Santali Bhasa O Sahityer Itihas – Dherendranath Baskey
- Santali Sahitya reyag nagam – Laxman Chandra Murmu
- Santali Sahityer Itihas – Parimal Hembram
- Santali Sawhed reyag nagam – Dr. D. Besra
- Santali Sawhed reyag nagam – Dr. D. Besra
- Santali Sawhed reyak Omonom R Hara – Dr. K.C. Tudu