Manbhoom Sanaskriti (Bengali Version)

Book Details

• Author: Khirod Chandra Mahato
• Publisher: Bangiya Sahitya Samsad
• Language: Bengali
• ISBN: 9789385131639

About the Book

Manbhoom Sanaskriti (Bengali Version) is a comprehensive study of the rich cultural heritage of the historic region of Manbhum, a land whose geographical identity has disappeared from the political map of India but whose cultural legacy continues to thrive. Today largely identified with the district of Purulia, the former Manbhum region preserves a distinctive tradition shaped by its indigenous communities, agrarian lifestyle, and centuries-old folk customs.

The book traces the cultural identity of this historic region by exploring the lives of its tribal and indigenous communities, whose livelihoods have traditionally revolved around agriculture. Farming is presented not merely as an economic activity but as the foundation of the region's social organization, religious beliefs, seasonal festivals, and collective cultural life. Through this perspective, the author reveals the deep interdependence between agriculture and community traditions in Manbhum.

A central focus of the volume is the annual cycle of agrarian rituals and festivals that mark the rhythm of life in the region. The cultural calendar begins with the Akhain Jatra observed on the first day of the Bengali month of Magh and concludes with the immersion ceremony of the Tusu Parab, one of the most celebrated harvest festivals of eastern India. Between these occasions, the book documents a wide range of ceremonies, folk performances, customs, and community practices that reflect the agricultural worldview of the people.

Drawing upon folklore, cultural anthropology, regional history, and ethnographic observation, Khirod Chandra Mahato examines how the traditional clan-based societies of Manbhum have preserved their cultural identity despite political change and geographical reorganization. The book highlights the resilience of indigenous knowledge systems, folk beliefs, ritual practices, and communal traditions that continue to define the cultural character of the region.

Combining historical insight with cultural documentation, Manbhoom Sanaskriti offers readers a deeper understanding of one of eastern India's most vibrant folk traditions. It serves as an important contribution to the study of agrarian culture, indigenous heritage, and the intangible cultural legacy of Manbhum.

An invaluable resource for students, researchers, folklorists, anthropologists, historians, and readers interested in tribal studies and Bengali folk culture, this book preserves and celebrates the enduring spirit of Manbhum's agricultural and indigenous traditions.