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Sacred Grove of Santals: Abode of God and Ecological Saviour
Author
Susmita Poddar
Specifications
  • ISBN 13 : 9789387587953
  • year : 2019
  • language : English
  • binding : Hardbound
Description
This book deals with one of the most important social issues of tribal identity. It should be collated to their issues of survival. Now all over the world various conscious eforts are taken for biodiversity maintenance at local, regional, national or global extent. Unfortunatelu, ruthless deforestation makes serious crisis to the forest habitats of India. Mentioning this conflicting situation present study explores the unique traditional resource management system of Santal sacred grove Jaherthan. Sacred grove of the Santals mainly constitutes of sal tree (shorea robsta). They consider sal as 'the tree of life'. Nature-based traditional knowledge id the foundation of their whole cultural complex. Usually, sacred grove management includes maintenance of forest as well as biodiversity through taboos, rites, magical beliefs and magico-religious activities. The belief and rites, performed in the sacred grove, always have historical, social, religious, functional and utilitarian values in their life. Overall sacred grove culture reflects the crucial interface between ecological management and culture. Jaherthan is an important identity marker of the Santals. It is not only the abode of Santai Gods and Goddesses; it is the platform of learning nature and from this interactive sphere Santals get the social education. The Sacred Grove of Santals reviewa the ecological and socio-religious values of Jaherthan emphasizing Santali religious conviction about plant worship.