Pahariyas tribe

Source-This post on Pahariya tribe is based on the article “Seeds of solace” published in “Down to earth” on 15th April 2024.

Why in the News?

Jharkhand’s Pahariya tribe aims to achieve seed independence by depositing native varieties in community-led banks

About Pahariyas tribe

1. The Pahariyas primarily reside in Jharkhand and West Bengal, with smaller populations in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. Some of the Mal Paharia tribes also identify them as Malto, Malti, Maltu, Maler, etc

2. They are forest dwellers and mainly engage in jhum or shifting agriculture.

3. In Jharkhand, the Pahariyas are divided into two groups:

a) Mal Pahariya: These individuals inhabit the southern hills of Damin-i-koh and the southern and eastern regions of the Santhal Parganas. They belong to the Proto-Australoid race.

b) Shauria Pahariya (or Maler Paharia): This group is predominantly found in the Santhal Parganas. Historically, their main settlement was in the region of Karnataka, but today they are primarily located in the mountainous areas of Rajmahal and Santhal Pargana.

They speak Malto, their native language, which shows influences from Havli and Chharisgarhi languages.

4. Religious Practices: The Pahariyas worship deities specific to their households, clans, and villages, such as Mait, Maa, Gangadi, Sunadi, Rupadi, and Budharaj. They also believe in naturalism and worship natural objects like sun, river, mountain, tree, animal, birds,
plants and bushes.

5. Language: They speak mal Pahariya language. This language is influenced by local dialects Havli and Chharisgarhi. Their language is mixture of Santali, Bengali and Hindi.

UPSC Syllabus: Tribes in news