Nature and Culture Praxis: Life-Ritual Performances of Santhal Tribe
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Central Department of English
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.