20.0 Introduction
Anthropologists study tribal religion in terms of faith and beliefs, practices, and supernatural connection in a cultural perspective. This can be conceptualised as religious worldview within the total perspective of worldview of the tribes, the concept of worldview being forwarded by Robert Redfield (see 1953 and 1962).
In the Indian context, Nature-Man- Spirit Complex also provides an analytical framework to study tribal religion (see Vidyarthi 1963) in a holistic perspective. There are also conceptual and theoretical discourses to study tribal religion with reference to its various elements. Symbolism is such a discourse that generally examines ritual symbols to present a critical understanding of tribal religion. In this study an attempt is made to understand the belief system of the Oraon by studying Dandakatta ritual, also called Bhelwa Phadi1 and symbols used in it.Focus is made on people’s perception. Dynamics of symbolic interpretation are attempted in an interactive space as is evident from practices and meanings observed common to the Oraon and the neighbouring Hindu communities. The study is qualitative in nature and based on both primary and secondary data. Field study was the major source of primary data.
20.0.1 Objectives of Study
The study is based on the following three objectives:
1 to study the Dandakatta ritual of Oraon tribe of Jharkhand, India;
2 to understand symbolism as related to Dandakatta, and how people perceive it; and
3 to explain the present status of Dandakatta ritual.
20.0.2 Research Methodology
The present study is based on data collected from both primary and secondary sources. For gathering the primary data, we used data collection methods and tools such as schedule,
DOI: 10.4324/9781003516415-26
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observation, case study, interview, photography, and audio and video clips. For the secondary sources, the review of relevant lectures, the internet, published research materials, and magazines have been taken into account.
Both emic and etic approaches are also applied to know the viewpoints of the Oraon as they perceive symbolic meanings of materials used in Dandakatta rituals. Perception of the Oraon about the ritual, chants, ritual materials, etc. have been examined to capture emic view point. Folk narrative about the ritual is also considered as an expression of emic perspective. Focus on these topics in the study is nothing but emic approach adopted during investigation. At the same time, an attempt has been made to study this ritual using theoretical framework of symbolism with a view to understand the religious worldview of the Oraon. Attempt to understand a phenomenon within available theoretical and conceptual frameworks is an etic approach. Undoubtedly, our study of Dandakatta within the framework of symbolic interpretation is etic approach as the framework is not a ritual specific case selected for the study. In this way the data has been compiled and analysed in a balanced way using both approaches. The present study is carried out in villages of Mandar block in the district of Ranchi in Jharkhand. Murma, Sursa, Chund, Mandar, Brambe, Punagi, Karge, and Mesal villages were studied for data collection. Data have been collected using the interview method; and the respondents included pahan1, panbhara (assistant of pahan), and other knowledgeable members of villages from both sexes. The respondents other than religious heads belonged to different age groups. In total 54 respondents were interviewed; out of which six were pahan of different villages, four were assistants of pahan, 18 knowledgeable elders, 25 were common villagers of both male and female groups, and 11 were educated youth.20.1
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