Sauria Paharia Adivasi
The earliest description of the Sauria Paharia is that of Captain Brown in 1788, which was quoted in Suntherland report. Lately, the district gazetter of Santhal Pragana clarifies that the earliest inhabitants appear to be Maler (Sauria Paharia). They are found in Godda, Pakur and Rajmahal. More than 100 years of census report shows existence of Sauria Paharia, recently the survey done by State Government in 1988 shows their population as 46,594.
Culture
The Sauria Paharia erect houses with bamboo, Wood, bushes mud, leaves, grasses, and tiles.
Family
Family and marriage form the core of any society. The family life of Sauria Paharia of Rajmahal Hills show intense grouping and close, intimate relationship.
Marriage
Marriage among the tribal is not religious sacrament but a jovial contact for the purpose of enjoyment of sex, procreation and companionship. Monogamy is the usual form of marriage, because of the hard rules for bride price (known as "PON", ranges for Rs. 2000-Rs.8000) and poverty to maintain two wives. A child marriage is not preferred. The young men ready for marriage at the age of 20-21, must be ready to look after his family. Divorce is weighed more in favour of husband as he may charge his wife for bad temperament, bareness and laziness.
Birth
Birth is regarded as very joyous occasion in the society of the Sauria Paharia. The birth of a female child makes family exalt but in the case of boy they feel proud to be parents.
Death
The Sauria Paharia is aware of death reality. They have a conviction that death is caused by anger of Gods and Deities. The corps is buried along with clothes, utensils, even bow and arrows. Even some fish and rice is kept for the soul of the body.
Economy
Main economic activities of Sauria Paharia has been classified under the shifting cultivation type of tribal economic categorization. Presently their economic rests upon resources like hill cultivation, forest, livestock, products like Tassar silk cocoons and wild fruits.
Political Organization
The Sauria Paharia's political authorities mark the boundary of a village in these hilly areas. The traditional system of this community had following political posts in hierarchy: Manjhi, Nayak, Sardar, Paraganait, Chakladar and Chaukidar.
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