Nature and Culture Praxis: Life-Ritual Performances of Santhal Tribe

Abstract

Performance is that area of study, which generates curiosity in any scholar even in his/her first encounter. I was amazed to see its charm and depth. This thesis is an outcome of an attempt of analyzing performance and performative qualities of Santhal tribe of eastern Nepal. They are, by nature, performative with dances, songs, ideas of colors, decoration, feasts, and celebrations. They display a great deal of performance activities in their special celebrations and also show their unparallel love and attachment to nature. From their settlement pattern to social practices, Santhals are found in close proximity to nature. Festivals are designed to celebrate changes in nature. In fact, Santhals are attuned with nature, agricultural term and seasons. They enjoy nature and celebrate it in each and every cultural and ritual act. But, the important feature of Santhal community is that Performance is essential to carry out such transitions. Even, cultural transitions are also celebrated through rituals. Rituals, in Santhal community, are complete only by means of performance. But, the unique feature of performance in Santhal community is that it brings culture and nature together. Nature is turned into cultural space by means of performance. Performance, which is intrinsically attached to Santhal’s culture, plays the role of a bridge between nature and culture. Nature and culture are brought together into the house, yard, ‘gramthan’ and public places by means of performances. Life rituals: birth, marriages and death in Santhal community engages both nature and culture. There is frequent encounter and interplay between nature and culture, which is made possible through the performance in Santhal community.