The Parhaiyas of Jharkhand: A Glance

M Ramakrishnan; Sunita Soren

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i02.73930

The Parhaiyas of Jharkhand: A Glance

Author(s)	Dr. M Ramakrishnan, Ms. Sunita Soren
Country	India
Abstract	The Parhaiyas are one of the Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Jharkhand, and this lesser-known community is found settled mainly in the Latehar, Garhwa, Palamu and Chatra districts, and they also live in a small number in the neighbouring states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Although they had been traditionally associated with shifting cultivation and forest produce for their subsistence, they were compelled to adopt traditional cultivation patterns in the resettlement areas for their livelihood due to environmental degradation, wildlife and forest policy, land encroachment, and issues related to land ownership. However, as the agricultural activities do not fulfil all their requirements, they have to depend on the forest produce to meet their livelihood demands. They sell their forest produce, such as roots, fruits, leaves, bamboo materials, etc., in the local markets, and even hunting is still considered by the community members as one of the income sources. Conversely, despite the governments’ various initiatives, due to various factors, they are still lagging on important indicators of development, such as health, education, etc. They are the poverty-stricken people living in small hamlets in the hilly area from time immemorial, which has resulted in a strong emotional attachment to the region. There are few studies available on the Parhaiyas and their economic condition, level of education, poverty, health, social exploitation, etc. However, scholars have very rarely attempted to explore their cultural life, which is filled with oral traditions, customs, beliefs, material cultures, and artistic traditions that collectively contribute to establishing their cultural identity. In fact, this study explores the comprehensive perspective on the nature of cultural life of the people and their conscious and collective efforts by focusing on their cultural milieu which is consisting of crafts, ornaments, food practices, sports and games, festivals, rituals and celebrations that together make their life not as a monotonous entity, rather a dynamic one that participates in the process of differentiation and assimilation with other mainstream communities living in the localities. While this study relies on the ethnographic details of the community, it proceeds further by examining various cultural domains that are used both explicitly and implicitly to address some of the issues of confrontation with their neighbouring communities, who constantly produce opinions and impressions about the Parhaiyas. This study also explores some of the cultural practices that they can project as unique and any neighbouring cultures that have not influenced them. Similarly, this study tries to locate some of the cultural hybridity elements within their culture that have been the result of living closer to other communities. This study also identifies some of the practices related to health, healing, rituals, celebrations, and worldview that can be considered unique in every respect. Finally, this study initiates a contemporary dialogue on the importance of addressing the relevance of the cultural identity of indigenous communities in the globalisation scenario.
Keywords	Forests, traditions, isolation, identity, intermingling, sustainability
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-04-07
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i02.73930

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The Parhaiyas of Jharkhand: A Glance

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