Bhumij Adivasi

Bhumij means one who is born from soil. The Bhumij, one of the Hinduised Adivasi groups of the Jharkhand State. They are found in districts of Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi and Dhanbad of Jharkhand state.

Culture

The Bhumij village are situated at plain areas. Houses are erect with bamboo, and sal saplins, tied with grass ropes and thatched with straw.

Family

Bhumij family is patrilinea. Family structure is nuclear, husband-wife and their unmarried children. Married son established their own family and married daughter leave the house to lead a family with their husband.

Marriage

The ritual of marriage generally comes in the life of all boys and girls of the the Bhumij, Monogamy is the usual form of marriage. Bigamy is also allowed. Levirate and Sorrorate marriage are possible depending on the situation. Premarital relations within lineage group is not allowed. But in case of other lineage group it is excused and finally results in marriage. Marriage may take place between boys and girls of two lineage but generally it is avoided. They generally follow village exogamy. Usual way of acquiring bride is by bride-price and through the consent of parents of boys and girls. But marriage by exchange, elopement service and love may also take place.

Birth

Birth is regarded as very joyous occasion in the society of the Bhumij. It makes the couple fertile and washes the strain of barrenness for ever. It enhances the status of the husband and the wife as father and mother. 

Death

The Bhumij are aware of death reality. They know well that wherever birth there is death. But they do not know the age and time of death, although it is pre-decided. Some die just after birth, some die in infancy, some in young age. The death during old age is taken good because it brings occasion of transformation of body and soul of a person. The dead body is buried or cremated. Only male members participates in death rituals.

Economy

Main economic activities of the Bhumij are agriculture, collection of forest produce from the forest, lac cultivation and basketry.

Religion

The Bhumij believes in animism and they practice ancestral worship. They also believe in naturalism and worship natural objects like sun, river, mountain, tree, animal, birds, plants and bushes.

Political Organization

The Bhumij have the concept of village Panchayat, all head of family are the members.