News: Adivasis from the Ho tribe in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum recently protested against the Deputy Commissioner, accusing interference in their traditional Manki-Munda self-governance system after the removal of village heads (Mundas).
About Manki–Munda system
- The Manki–Munda system is a centuries-old, decentralised form of self-governance practiced by the Ho Adivasi community in Jharkhand’s Kolhan region.
- It revolves around hereditary village headmen (Mundas) and regional chiefs (Mankis), handling internal disputes and social matters rather than revenue or taxation.
- Each village traditionally has one Munda, the hereditary head of the village.
- The Munda resolves socio-political disputes at the local level, ensuring harmony and custom adherence within the village.
- A Manki is the head of a Pir (cluster of 8–15 villages). If a dispute cannot be resolved at the village level by a Munda, it escalates to the Manki for resolution at the regional level. Before British intervention, the system had no tax or revenue obligations.
- With the Permanent Settlement Act (1793), zamindars encroached on Ho land, triggering tribal revolts such as the Ho Rebellion (1821-22) and Kol Rebellion (1831-32).
- Wilkinson’s Rules (1833): Captain Thomas Wilkinson created 31 rules in 1833 to codify the Manki-Munda system. These rules formalized the Manki-Munda system and made the leaders act as agents of the British. While the system seemed to protect tribal autonomy, it integrated Kolhan into British India.
- Changes Under British Rule: The population of outsiders (dikkus) grew from 1,579 in 1867 to 15,755 in 1897 due to railways. The concept of private property was introduced, and Mundas and Mankis became raiyats (tenants) with land deeds.
- After India’s independence, Wilkinson’s Rules continued to apply in Kolhan.
- In 2000, the Patna High Court declared the rules as customs, not formal law, but allowed their continuation.
- Nyay Manch was proposed in 2021 to modernize the system but has not been implemented.
- Demands for Reform
- Some members of the Ho community, especially youth, demand reforms in the system.
- They propose ending hereditary leadership and allowing educated individuals (tribal and non-tribal) to take leadership roles.
- The lack of formal education among some Mundas and Mankis creates difficulties in modern administration.
About the Ho Tribe
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