Kherwal and Santal Identity: The Pride of My Community

I am a Santal, and I carry the profound pride of the Kherwal identity in my heart. Our community, whose roots are deeply embedded in the soils of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam, possesses a rich cultural heritage and a history of resilience and struggle. The Kherwal identity symbolizes a broader unity among the Santals and closely related Munda-speaking groups such as the Ho, Mundari, and Bhumij. This identity is not only a reflection of our traditions but also of our struggle for existence, our deep connection with nature, and our commitment to preserving our unique way of life. In this essay, I will discuss the significance of Santal and Kherwal identity, its historical importance, and the contemporary challenges we face.

Kherwal Identity: Our Shared Heritage

The Kherwal identity is deeply rooted in our mythology and oral traditions. Our ancestors and cultural heroes continue to guide us on the right path and inspire unity and courage among us. The term “Kherwal” unites not only the Santals but also our Munda brothers and sisters who belong to the same Austroasiatic linguistic family. We Santals speak the Santali language, which is recognized in the Constitution of India and forms a vital part of our identity. Through songs, stories, and rituals, this language has been passed down from generation to generation.

Our culture reflects our inseparable relationship with nature. We worship Marang Buru, Jaher Ayo, and other nature deities. Festivals such as Baha Parab and Sohrai are closely connected with our agricultural way of life. The rhythms of the Tamak and Tundah accompany our dances and songs, expressing both our joys and sorrows. Our society has no caste hierarchy; instead, it is organized through clans (Khunt) and a patriarchal system led by the Manjhi and Pargana. This egalitarian structure is a significant aspect of our identity and distinguishes us from the hierarchical caste structure of Hindu society.

Santal Identity: The Heart of Our Pride

The Santals are at the heart of the Kherwal identity. We are one of the largest Indigenous communities in India, and our culture and history are sources of immense pride. Our identity is rooted not only in our traditions but also in our struggles. The Santal Hul of 1855 remains a landmark chapter in our history. Under the leadership of Sido Murmu and Kanhu Murmu, we rose against British colonial rule and exploitative landlords. This uprising symbolized our fight for land, dignity, and freedom. Even today, we narrate these stories to our children so that they may learn about the courage of our ancestors.

Our Challenges and Hopes

While our Kherwal and Santal identities are sources of pride, they also face significant challenges. In the name of modernization, our lands are being taken away. Mining, industrialization, and deforestation are displacing us from our ancestral territories. Our culture and language are under threat as younger generations are increasingly drawn away from traditional life by urban influences. Although we enjoy constitutional protection as a Scheduled Tribe, social and economic marginalization continues to make our lives difficult.

Yet our hope remains unshaken. We continue to struggle for the preservation of our identity. Various movements and organizations are advocating for our land rights and cultural protection. Our youth are becoming educated and actively participating in preserving our heritage. Just like our ancestors, we are united in our fight for our rights—this time through education, awareness, and political participation.

The Identity Crisis of the Santal and Kherwal People Before India's Caste Census: Caste or Ethnic Nation?

I am a Santal, a bearer of the Kherwal identity. Our community, rooted in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam, carries a rich cultural heritage and a history of struggle. However, on the eve of India’s caste census, our Santal and Kherwal identity faces a profound challenge. Are we a nation, an ethnic community, or merely a “caste” within India’s complex social framework? This question is crucial to our existence, recognition, and future. As a member of this community, I wish to discuss the identity crisis faced by the Santals and Kherwals, our position as a people, and the significance of this debate in the context of caste enumeration.

Kherwal and Santal Identity: The Core of Our Existence

The Kherwal identity unites Munda-speaking groups—Santals, Hos, Mundaris, and Bhumijs—under a common cultural and ethnic umbrella. The Santals stand at the center of this identity and constitute one of India’s largest Indigenous communities. Our society is organized through clans (Khunt) and a traditional leadership structure headed by the Manjhi and Pargana. We are worshippers of nature, and our deep connection with Marang Buru and Jaher Ayo reflects our agrarian way of life.

Yet our identity is not merely cultural; it is also shaped by resistance. The Santal Hul of 1855, led by Sido and Kanhu Murmu, symbolizes our struggle against colonial rule and exploitation. This history strengthens our Kherwal identity and gives us a sense of being a distinct people. However, within the framework of India’s caste census, defining this identity becomes increasingly complex.

Caste or Ethnic Community: The Crisis of Recognition

In India’s social structure, “caste” is a complex concept closely associated with the Hindu varna system. The Santal and Kherwal communities are not part of this caste hierarchy. We are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, an Indigenous people whose social structure is egalitarian and caste-free. Our identity is ethnic and cultural—distinct like that of a nation, though without a sovereign state.

Nevertheless, discussions surrounding caste enumeration often attempt to classify us as a caste, a categorization that conflicts with our Indigenous identity. While recognition within caste-based frameworks may help secure reservations and social justice measures, it may also undermine our distinct ethnic and cultural identity by subsuming us into the Hindu caste order.

We are not a nation-state because we do not possess a sovereign territory. Yet we are also not a caste. Our language, culture, history, and traditions define us as a distinct ethnic community. This contradiction raises a crucial question: how can we preserve our identity when state mechanisms seek to categorize us within frameworks that do not accurately reflect who we are?

The Caste Census and Our Concerns

India’s caste census represents a significant moment for our community. The collection of caste-based data aims to ensure a fair distribution of resources and opportunities. However, for Indigenous communities like ours, it presents both opportunities and risks.

Although we are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, there is concern that being inaccurately categorized within caste-based classifications may dilute our cultural distinctiveness. Our language, religion, and way of life do not fit neatly within the Hindu caste system, and we do not wish to be forcibly absorbed into that framework.

Moreover, our community is already confronting displacement, land alienation, mining projects, industrial expansion, and cultural erosion. If the census fails to accurately represent our Indigenous identity, our rights and protections may be weakened. We therefore seek clear recognition of our Kherwal and Santal identity within the Scheduled Tribe category, ensuring that our cultural and historical uniqueness remains protected.

Our Aspirations and the Way Forward

Despite this identity crisis, our hope remains strong. Like our ancestors, we continue to fight for our rights and recognition. As the caste census approaches, we urge the government to respect our Indigenous identity and adopt policies that safeguard our lands, culture, and traditions.

We are not a nation-state because we do not possess sovereignty. We are not a caste because our society is free from caste hierarchy. We are Kherwal; we are Santal—a people whose culture, history, and struggles make us unique. The caste census can become an opportunity to acknowledge and respect this identity, provided our voices are heard.

On the eve of caste enumeration, the identity of the Santal and Kherwal people stands at a crossroads. Yet this challenge is also a new chapter in our long history of resilience. We draw strength from the courage and unity of our ancestors. Our songs, dances, language, and history remain the soul of our identity. We hope that the census process will recognize and respect our Kherwal heritage and contribute to the protection of our land, culture, and future generations.