Jharkhand's Culture and Traditions
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India, rich in tribal heritage, folk traditions, and natural beauty. Its culture is shaped by its tribal communities, history, festivals, music, dance, and crafts.
🌿 People & Languages
Jharkhand is home to many tribal communities: Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Ho, Kharia, Birhor, Paharia, Asur, and others. Apart from tribal languages, Hindi is widely spoken, with Nagpuri, Mundari, Kurukh, Khortha, Santali, Ho, and Bhojpuri also in use.
🎭 Festivals & Traditions
Karma Festival – A harvest and fertility festival celebrated with songs, dances, and worship of the Karma tree.
Sarhul – Marks the beginning of spring; people worship the Sal tree and nature.
Tusu Parab – Harvest festival of the Makar Sankranti season, marked with folk songs and fairs.
Sohrai – Celebrated after Diwali, linked to cattle and agriculture; homes are decorated with traditional Sohrai paintings.
Bandna – Festival for worshipping and decorating cattle.
💃 Folk Dance & Music
Chhau Dance (Seraikela style) – Semi-classical dance with masks, depicting stories from mythology.
Jhumair & Paika – Energetic group dances performed during festivals.
Karma Dance – Performed around the Karma tree during the Karma festival.
Folk Music – Tribal instruments like Mandar, Nagara, Bansuri, Dhol, Kartal accompany songs of nature, harvest, and folklore.
🎨 Art & Handicrafts
Sohrai & Kohbar paintings – Wall paintings with natural colors, usually during festivals and marriages.
Stone carving, woodwork, bamboo crafts, dokra (metal casting) – Represent the skill of Jharkhand’s tribal artisans.
Paitkar paintings – Scroll paintings that narrate mythological and social stories.
🍲 Cuisine
Simple, traditional, and often tribal-inspired: Rice, dal, leafy greens, and vegetables form the staple diet.
Special dishes include Dhuska (fried rice-lentil pancakes), Rugra (wild mushroom), Chilka Roti (rice-based roti),
Handia (fermented rice drink), Thekua, Tilkut, and Pitha.
🏹 Lifestyle & Beliefs
Strong connection with nature – forests, rivers, and wildlife play a sacred role.
Tribal communities follow animistic traditions, nature worship, and rituals tied to agriculture and seasons.
Totems and clan systems regulate marriages and social life.