The Munda tribe, belonging to the native inhabitants of the land of Jharkhand in India, boasts of rich culture, history, and tradition. More than a million Munda people are living predominantly in Jharkhand.
The Munda are one of the largest tribes in the region. The Munda tribe has a close relationship with nature and their culture, which has been passed down through generations.
Here is an in-depth glimpse into various aspects of Munda life, including living conditions, family dynamics, clothing, food, education, work, cultural heritage, entertainment, and the impact of the modern world on their community.
Origin and History of the Munda Tribe

The Munda tribe is one of the earliest known Indian Aboriginal groups. For thousands of years, ancestors had moved down the Chotanagpur Plateau of Jharkhand towards settling in central India. Ancient times are characterized by their great association with nature and their soil, as indicated through the generational practice of traditional farming and agriculture.
The social organization of the Munda tribe is according to a clan system. In the colonial period of the British, the exploitation of the land led to the famous Great Rebellion of 1855-1856 by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu. This marked a significant resistance to British policies.
Despite the severe challenges it has to endure after India’s independence, the Munda tribe still maintains its cultures and traditions in high value to the highly dotted tribal communities that are present in the country.
Living Conditions of the People of Munda Tribe

The Munda people traditionally dwell in rural areas. They build their houses from natural materials. Bamboo, mud, and thatched roofs are the common materials used in these traditional houses. These structures are simple but strong, blending with the natural environment.
The community maintains a strong relationship with nature, and their houses are a reflection of this style of life. In recent times, modernization has resulted in some Mundas opting for concrete homes, but traditional homes are still a norm in most villages.
Their house design is very practical and open to allow the movement of air and light, keeping the interior cool in the hot climate. The Mundas also construct small community huts where they hold social and religious gatherings, which strengthen their sense of community and oneness.
Family Life of the Munda Tribe People

The Munda’s family life is the core of their lifestyle. It’s patriarchal where family is concerned, as it follows a system where the oldest male head is the symbol. The initiation rites include the “Sagai,” where the engagement ceremony takes place, and it ends with “Bidai” as the bride sets out from her parent’s house to reside with the husband’s household. The position of women in most Munda families is held in great esteem, and they play an important role in household chores and agriculture.
On the other hand, men are in charge of family finances. The Munda tribe considers marriage a very big occasion, accompanied by feasting, traditional dances, and singing. These marriages are full of cultural rituals passed from generation to generation.
Elders play a very influencing role regarding matters of family life and marriage in guiding the next generations. The family ties are not just bound to the nuclear family system. Most relatives stay close by, and there is always support when needed. The respect for elders and this notion of unity between the people of a family is essentially meant to preserve social order within the Munda tribe.
Clothing
The clothing of the Munda tribe is not just functional; it is also a reflection of their rich cultural heritage. Formal attire and simple attire are both essential requirements in day-to-day life and play a significant role in festivals and ceremonies. Clothing in the Munda community is made from locally sourced natural materials, and the design elements represent their cultural identity.
Men’s Formal Attire:
• Dhoti/Lungi
The traditional male dress is dhoti or lungi, which is a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist for comfort and flexibility.
• Shirts
Simple cotton shirts are mostly worn by men with their dhoti or lungi, which is appropriate for the tropical climate of Jharkhand.
• Jewelry
Munda men rarely use jewelry; however, they sometimes wear some metallic items, like armlets made of silver or brass.
Women’s Dresses:

• Saree/Lehenga
Sarees or lehengas made of cotton or silk are traditional dresses worn by the ladies of the Munda tribe. They drape sarees in a manner that portrays their cultural flair.
• Jewellery
The love for jewelry is predominantly a feature in the women in the Munda tribe. This tribe adorns themselves with several intricately crafted silver and brass pieces- earrings, necklaces, and bangles, mainly handcrafted by local artisans.
• Headscarves
Women of the Munda tribe wore head scarves on their heads, as it depicted respect to the elders on occasions.
Cultures of the People of Munda Tribe
The Munda tribe values its culture by holding dear the use of ancestors’ strength and the living nature. There are quite a number of festivals, rituals, and folk traditions that promote the Munda tribe’s culture.
Some of the most important festivals include Mage Parab, Phagu, Karam, Baha Parab, Sarhul, and Sohrai. Each is characterized by rituals, dance performances, songs, and feasts depicting the tribe’s connection with nature, spirits, and ancestors.
In fact, spiritual contact is extremely rich among Munda tribe people, having animist root beliefs about living in and across the earth. Shamanistic practices are common, where village priests, known as “Pahan,” perform ceremonies and offer prayers to these spirits.
Cuisine
The food of the Munda tribe is simple but nutritious, usually based on what grows locally. Rice, maize, and millet form the mainstay of their diet. Several vegetables, fruits, and meat supplement these. The Munda people also use wild fruits, herbs, and tubers, which they dig up from the forests that surround their villages.
Munda traditional food is typically prepared using methods passed down over the ages. It is cooked sometimes in clay pots over an open fire. This cooking is usually slow to preserve natural flavors. One of the popular dishes is Sakai, a rice and vegetable stew often served with Kachri, a sort of wild herb.
Education
Education was orally passed down in the Munda community originally. Elders educated the younger generation through stories and oral history. The knowledge possessed by the people is always valuable to them as it is identified with their cultural practices, agricultural techniques, and survival skills.
Over the past few decades, formal education has been made accessible to the Munda people. Many children go to school to learn both traditional knowledge and modern subjects. However, still, in contrast to the national average, there is a lower literacy rate among the Munda tribe. Now, education has become essential, with efforts coming from the government and several NGOs to bridge the gap.
Work
The main occupation of the Munda tribe is agriculture. They produce subsistence crops, including rice, maize, millet, and vegetables. The Munda people still use traditional farming methods, which require physical labor and natural means of tilling the land. They also engage in livestock farming, including cattle, goats, and poultry.
Apart from farming, many Munda people are excellent craftsmen. They weave, make pots, and work with wood to create the necessities of their community. These traditional arts are passed down from generation to generation and are, therefore, a vital part of their economic activities.
Cultural Heritage
The cultural heritage of the Munda tribe is rich and diversified with hundreds of years of history, beliefs, and traditions. The culture of the Munda people is unique and vibrant. Their customs, language, and art all reflect their connection to their ancestral roots.
• Munda Language
The tribe speaks the native Munda language, which falls in the Austroasiatic language family. Though they have adopted Hindi and other regional languages, it is still pretty important to their identity.
• Music and Dance
Music and dance are central elements in the Munda culture. The Naqareh and Dhol are folk instruments used in creating folk songs that narrate the history of the tribe and their legends.
• Oral Literature
Storytelling is one of the traditions passed down from generation to generation with oral literature, which consists of folklore, myths, and historical narratives of the tribe’s heritage.
• Art and Craft
Munda tribes have distinct crafts that include weaving, pottery, and woodcarving. Crafts show the tribal’s relation to nature and hence are a part of their life activity as well as rituals.
• Festivals and Ceremonies
There are several festivals and ceremonies among the Munda wherein they perform different traditional dances and rituals. They are a good example of cultural rights and unity.
Entertainment and Recreation
The entertainment and recreational aspects of the Munda tribe are very closely integrated with their cultural life and rituals. Music and dance play a predominant role in their social life, with numerous folk dances being performed at festivals, marriages, and other celebrations. A typical example is that of Chhau dance, which is a traditional dance involving some martial arts, narrating ancient myths and legends.
The Munda people love narrations because this forms a culture within their tradition. Older people used to recall the histories of their greatest heroes, gods, and ancestors—stories that entertain but also teach the next generations about the culture and values they have.
Famous Personalities
From the Munda tribe, several famous personalities have emerged who have contributed to Indian society in a big way. One of the most famous personalities is Birsa Munda, who was a respected freedom fighter and spiritual leader.
Apart from fighting against British colonial rule, he initiated Ulgulan, or ‘The Great Rebellion,’ during the late 19th century. Birsa Munda fought for tribal people, specifically for the cause of their rights related to land and forests, and he is often said to have founded the separate state of Jharkhand in India. His legacy lives on in the hearts of many Munda people and others in India.
Impact of the Modern World
The Munda tribes, like any other Indigenous tribes, are also under the burden of modernization: urbanization, the encroachment of industries, and deforestation came about, affecting their traditional way of life. Land that was once passed down through generations has been taken over for development, and the Munda people have been displaced from their ancestral homes. The once-passed-down generation land was given for development, pushing the Mundas out of their ancestral homes.
Yet the Munda tribe still lives. They try to survive with their own culture even during the pressure of modernization. Good changes, though minimal, came along with education, health, and development in infrastructures. The problem, however, is enormous. It has raised awareness in the minds of the Munda community in regard to conserving their tradition, protecting them, and fighting against their rights taken over by modernity.
Role of Women in Munda Society
Traditionally, women in Munda society play prominent roles at home and in the community. Although their social system is patriarchal, Munda women work hard within their households. They are involved in farming and food preparation for their families. They are responsible for planting and harvesting crops and help in collecting firewood, water, and wild produce from the forest.
Cultural activities for the women include dancing, ritual performances, festivals, and, most importantly, preservation work to preserve their traditions and rituals. These women have started acquiring rights on their own and spreading knowledge about their need to get more access to education and proper treatment in medicine. It has started gradually in a good number by taking decisions and sorting out matters from their household up to their social units.
Conclusion
The people belonging to the Munda tribe living in Jharkhand represent a community in all its historical and cultural elements. From traditional houses to peculiar practices, the Munda people symbolize the revitalizing face of India’s cultural tapestry.
As they are moving towards modern life, they sustain their identity and make it harmonious with changing times. The Munda tribe had been courageous, and their story highlights various aspects of technology versus tradition.
FAQs:
1. Where do Munda people reside?
The people of the Munda tribe mostly dwell in the region of Jharkhand, which comprises parts of Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. The habitat of Munda people is mainly rural and forest dwelling.
2. What is the main language which the Munda tribe speaks?
Generally, the people of the Munda tribe communicate with a language of their own, the Munda language.
3. What are the traditional occupations of Munda people?
The Munda people primarily engage in agriculture as their profession. Along with that, they raise cows and make other handicrafts, such as weaving, pottery, and woodwork, for survival.
4. What is the position of women in Munda society?
Women in the Munda society engage in household and agricultural work. Now, as part of maintaining family life, they are increasing their strength and are growing as individuals with their educational and enlightenment activities.
5. In what ways has modernization influenced the Munda people?
Modernization has both negative and positive effects. While some people have enjoyed the good things, such as education, health, and infrastructure, they have suffered problems related to displacement, the destruction of forests, and losing their land to industrialization.
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