Santhal Folk Dance, Bengal

Seen in Murshidabad during Durga Puja 2022

As usual, tribal culture is inclusive – every individual is invited to participate – irrespective of any segregating parameter of age, marital status etc. While roles are highly developed and evolved, these role definitions do not become barriers to participation in these joyous dances. As evidence there is a brief clip of me being allowed to participate 🙂 in the short composite video below:

While there is no other evidence, the inclusion of mirrors and shells in their costume makes me wonder if there is a connection to the Banjara gypsies who live in Western India.

These could be clues … and just as Rabaris in Gujarat and Lambanis of Karnataka have some common language roots, maybe there is reason to look deeper into the roots.

History is full of mysteries ….

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jaina

Nov 2022