Lohara
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Lohara
This section has been extracted from THE TRIBES and CASTES of BENGAL. Ethnographic Glossary. Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Press. 1891. . |
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A sept of Mundas in Chota Nagpur.
Details
H. H. Risley's book "Tribes and Castes of Bengal" includes a section on the Lohara community. In this section, he describes the Loharas as a "wandering tribe" who are "found throughout Bengal and in the adjacent districts of Bihar, Orissa, and the Central Provinces". He notes that the Loharas are divided into two main groups - the Dangaria Loharas and the Dakhinpati Loharas - and that they are further subdivided into various clans.
Risley provides some information on the Loharas' customs and traditions, including their marriage practices, which involve payment of a bride-price, and their practice of divination through the use of a "witch doctor" or "medicine man". He also notes that the Loharas traditionally engaged in hunting and gathering, although in more recent times many have taken up settled agriculture.
Overall, Risley's account of the Lohara community is brief but provides some insight into their customs and way of life in the early 20th century. However, it should be noted that his work has been criticized for its focus on static, essentialized notions of caste and tribe, and for its role in shaping colonial policies of categorization and governance.
Lohara
(From People of India/ National Series Volume VIII. Readers who wish to share additional information/ photographs may please send them as messages to the Facebook community, Indpaedia.com. All information used will be gratefully acknowledged in your name.)
Synonyms: Lohra [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Lohara [West Bengal]
Surnames: Lohara, Lohra [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Hor, Manja, Tirki, Toppo [West Bengal]
Exogamous units/clans: Bail (bullock), Kachhua (tor toise), Ser (tiger), Suar (pig) [Bihar and/or Jhark hand] Shalshi [West Bengal]
See also
See also
Lohara
