Regional Cults and Rural Traditions

Book excerpt: This book is a significant contribution to a much known but less studied subject in the domain of social sciences. Dr. R.M. Sarkar, a well known anthropological researcher,based on his empirical findings has analysed the way of life of rural people through the study of village cults and village deities. The region of study covers a large territory extending from the border regions of Birbhum and Santal Parganas districts and include some parts of Burdwan in West Bengal and is mainly inhabited by the Bagdi,Mal,Lohar,Dom,Bauri,Mochi,Hadi communities and other higher castes of the greater Hindu society. The author has traced the origin from history and mythology of the five principal village deites; viz; Chandi,Manasa,Dharmaraj, Mahadana and Kali and have systematically analysed their pattersn of propitiations,feasts and festivals to illustrate various aspects of life of village folk-inter alia presenting a large number of rural traditions myths and popular beliefs details of numerous rites and rituals right from the starting of the puja festival up to the ceremonial immersion of the deities. In nutshell,the village deities emerge as mechanism for maintaining social solidarity and cultural harmony and cut across high and low segments such as Jal-chal (Castes from which water can be accepted), Jal-achal (Castes from which water cannot be accepted,) Chhut( Touchables ) and Achhut (Untouchables). This interesting work would arouse interest in scholars and researchers of Social Anthropology, Indology Sociology, Folklore, Philosophy and Religion.