Relevance:
The saree that Draupadi Murmu, the 15th President of India wore during the swearing-in ceremony is a Santhali saree.
About Santhali Sarees:
- Santhali sarees are made by handloom by weavers with colored threads.
- Women of the Santhali community wear it on special occasions.
- Santhali sarees have uniform stripes in length and the same design on both the ends.
- Prevalence: Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam.
- Design: Three-bow designs meaning women’s desire for freedom.
About Santhals:
- Santhal is the 3rd largest scheduled tribe community in the country after Gond and Bhil.
- Towards the end of the 18th century, they migrated to the Santhal Parganas of Bihar and then they came to Odisha.
- Location (Major): Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
- Major Occupation: Cultivation, Industrial Labour, Mining, Quarrying
- Religion: Nature worshipers and pay their obeisance at Jaher (sacred groves).
- Language: ‘OL chiki’ (included in the 8th Schedule)
- Architecture: Santhal houses called ‘Olah’ are distinct and can be identified from a distance.
- Major Festivals & Rituals:
- Erok-sim : For sowing seeds
- Hariham-sim : At the time of Sprouting seedling
- Iri-guldi-sim : Offering small millets to deity
- Jantal : First eating of rice
- Saharai : Cattle worship
- Magha-sim : Dancing and merrymaking
- Baha : Ritual for first fruit of Mahua and ceremonial hunting
Reference: News Day Express
