“Followers-Migrant”

Kasba subdivision used to be the prime choice among all place in Purnia district to attract migrant due to its natural resource and friendly climate. In series of that Tribes from Bangladesh ,Jharkhand migrated in the year 1956-57 in search of BANDOBAST JAMIN (Sharing cultivation Field). Due to dense forest they made their route through KATIHAR Dist. They settled in villages like Basantpur,Madocha,Bareta under kasba block. Their main dialect is ‘Santhali’

Food:-   They were dependent upon Madwa , sweet potato, spinaches , Millet ,various plant roots and medicinal herbs etc. ’Mahua’ is  their special alcoholic drink prepared by themselves. Hunting was one of their hobbies and they hunted in groups for rats, rabbits , wild cats etc. Sometimes they were  also hired to protect the crops from such rodents as they were skilled in that field.Hunting was done with Bow-arrow and every time they went for hunting they used iron head arrows poisoned with special chilly juice. For perfect aim they used the aero-dynamics concept in  their arrow. They used eagle feathers in their arrows for this purpose. Even now their services are sought in paddy and wheat fields. 

Festival:-  Their main festival is ‘SURAHYAA’ which goes on for seven days in the month of January every year. They mainly worship their ancestors in this festival  but also follow religions like Hinduism, Christianity etc. Males use to wear special kind of dress called Lungi and panchi and females wear sari or wraparound. They sing, dance & dine altogether till the wee hours. They have  special kind of drums called ‘Tumda & Tamak’. During the festival visiting to  relatives and loved ones is common practice. This festivals brings everyone close and celebrations are at peak level. 

Culture:-  Marriage in them is basically Love marriage. Eloping with the lover and marrying is not a social crime in their society.If the girl elopes with the boy she likes then their parents have to arrange the marriage following all rites and rituals. Earlier groom side had to pay Rs.7/- to the bridal side as a customary but now a days the marriage is fixed for Rs.151/- After this, if the marriage day is fixed after twelve days then twelve knots are tied in a rope and each knot is opened as the days pass. Rest of marriage rites and rituals are almost similar to the Hindus except the saat fere. They do not move around the fire seven times instead they just throw turmeric in all directions to make the marriage spiritual. This is how they can marry the girl they love with everybody’s nod which is not common in our society. 

Narrated  By:- Mr. Ramdeshra