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{{Short description|Indian religion}}
{{Infobox religious group
| group = Sarnaism
| flag = Sarnaism flag.svg
| flag_size = 150px
| flag_alt =
| flag_caption = Flag of Sarnaism
| image = File:Sarna sb.png
| image_size = 150px
| image_alt =
| image_caption = The Sarnaism Symbol used by [[Santals]]
| population = {{circa|5 million}}<ref name=pew>{{cite report |title=Religious Composition of India |first=Stephanie |last=Kramer
|publisher=[[Pew Research Center]]
|date=September 21, 2021
|page=21 |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/09/PF_09.21.21_Religious-Composition-of-India-FULL.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402102744/https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/09/PF_09.21.21_Religious-Composition-of-India-FULL.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| founder =
| regions = {{flag|India}}
| tablehdr =
| region1 = [[Jharkhand]]
| pop1 = 4,131,282
| ref1 =<ref name=Relegion2011>{{cite web|title=C-01 Appendix: Details of religious community shown under 'Other religions and persuasions' in main table C01 - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11398/download/14511/DDW00C-01%20Appendix%20MDDS.xlsx |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India }}</ref>
| region2 = [[Odisha]]
| pop2 = 403,350
| ref2 = <ref name=Relegion2011/>
| region3 = [[West Bengal]]
| pop3 = 403,250
| ref3 = <ref name=Relegion2011/>
| region4 = [[Bihar]]
| pop4 = 10,407
| ref4 = <ref name=Relegion2011/>
| region5 = [[Chhattisgarh]]
| pop5 = 8,057
| ref5 = <ref name=Relegion2011/>
| region6 =
| pop6 =
| ref6 =
}}


'''Sarnaism''' is a [[Indian religions|religious faith]] of the Indian subcontinent, predominantly followed by [[Adivasi|indigenous communities]] of [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] region across states like [[Jharkhand]], [[Odisha]], [[West Bengal]], [[Bihar]], and [[Chhattisgarh]].<ref name="outlook india">{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/explained-what-is-the-sarna-religious-code-and-what-are-its-followers-demanding--news-230860|title=Explained: What Is The Sarna Religious Code And What Are Its Followers Demanding?|publisher=outlook india|date=18 October 2022|access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Religious Complexity in Northeastern South Asia|url=https://www.geocurrents.info/cultural-geography/religion/religious-complexity-in-northeastern-south-asia|access-date=2021-10-21|website=GeoCurrents|date=29 October 2015 }}</ref>


The essence of the Sarna faith revolves around [[Nature worship]]. Its core principles emphasize jal (water), jaṅgal (forest) and jamīn (land), with adherents offering prayers to trees and hills while believing in the protection of forests.<ref name="outlook india"/> This belief centers around the reverence of Sarna, the [[Sacred groves of India|sacred groves]] of village communities where the village deity, known as ''[[Grāmadevatā|Gram deoti]]'' resides, and where [[Animal sacrifice|sacrificial offerings]] are made twice a year. It is also referred to as "Sarna Dharma" or the "Religion of the Holy Woods",<ref>{{harvnb|Minahan|2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=In India, Believers in an Ancient Indigenous Faith Seek Formal Recognition |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-11-24/clinging-to-ancient-faith-india-tribes-seek-religion-status}}</ref> and it holds the distinction of being India's largest tribal religion.<ref name=pew/>


== Etymology ==
The term "[[Sarna (place)|Sarna]]", derived from the [[Mundari language]], means "[[sacred grove]]", referring to the sites where tribal religious practices take place, although the term for sacred grove varies among tribes; for instance, the Santals call it ''[[Jaherthan|Jaher Era]]'', Oraons call it ''Kurukh Kuti'', Hos call it ''Desauli''.<ref name=Hembram>{{harvp|Hembram|1982}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Sharma|2022|page=38}}</ref> However, ''Sarna'' is etymologically related to the name of the [[Shorea robusta|sal tree]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Krishna |first=Nanditha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gp1IDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT41 |title=Hinduism and Nature |date=2017-12-26 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-87326-54-5 |language=en}}</ref>


== History ==
.
Sarnaism emerged in the 1930s when tribal activists in the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau|Chota Nagpur region]] of [[Bihar]] proposed it as a unifying term for the diverse, [[Nature religion|nature-based]] [[Indigenous religion|ancestral practices]] of tribal communities, distinct from mainstream religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.{{sfn|Hembram|1988}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Virginius |first=Xaxa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2HU8BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA53 |title=State, Society, and Tribes: Issues in Post-Colonial India |date=2008 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-93-325-0632-9 |pages=53 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Mishra |first1=Asha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ul6fWJQOfzwC&pg=PA134 |title=Tribal Movements in Jharkhand, 1857-2007 |last2=Paty |first2=Chittaranjan Kumar |date=2010 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=978-81-8069-686-2 |pages=134 |language=en}}</ref>


However, initially, the concept of unifying tribal belief was prevalent among the [[Kurukh people|Oraon tribe]] of [[History of Ranchi|Ranchi]] as a way to assert tribal identity and resist [[Cultural assimilation|assimilation]] and [[Religious conversions in India|conversions]]. Later, the [[Munda people|Munda]] joined its fold when a concession was made to use "Sarna" as the name of the religion. Sarnaism gained broader acceptance through socio-political leaders like [[Jaipal Singh Munda]], [[Raghunath Murmu]], who spearheaded its cultural and political significance.<ref>{{Cite book |first1=Maguni Charan |last1=Behera |first2=Ambrish |last2=Gatuam|chapter=Transcendental Religious Space in Jharkhand: Reading Present from the Past |editor-last=Behera |editor-first=Maguni Charan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-tcUEQAAQBAJ |title=The Routledge Handbook of Tribe and Religions in India: Contemporary Readings on Spirituality, Belief and Identity |year=2024 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-040-11433-9 |language=en |page=158}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Carrin |first1=Marine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GZXXAAAAMAAJ |title=An Encounter of Peripheries: Santals, Missionaries, and Their Changing Worlds, 1867-1900 |last2=Tambs-Lyche |first2=Harald |date=2008 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-7304-755-8 |pages=343 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=Hembram/><ref>{{harvp|Borde|2017|page=167}}: "In the mid-1950s, Jaipal Singh Munda, the leader of the Jharkhand movement is reported to have formulated the basic tenets of what is now known as the Sarna Dharam."</ref> Post-independence, Sarnaism experienced steady growth, with significant developments in 1971 and 2001 when larger tribes like the [[Ho people|Hos]] and [[Santals]] embraced it, resulting in over 100 percent decadal growth. Politically, Sarnaism grew alongside the [[Jharkhand#History|Jharkhand movement]], formulated by the Adivasi Mahasabha and the [[Jharkhand Party]], with the motifs of tribal identity and separate autonomy, which succeeded in 2000 when the tribal-concentrated southern Bihar bifurcated as a separate state, [[Jharkhand]].


== Theology ==
The adherents of Sarnaism believe in, worship, and revere a village deity as protector of village called ''Gaon khunt'', ''Gram deoti'', ''[[Marang Buru]]'', ''Singbonga'', or by other names by different tribes.<ref name="Amit Jha">{{cite book |author=Amit Jha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zgLCCQAAQBAJ&q=sarnaism+belief&pg=PT121 |title=Contemporary Religious Institutions in Tribal India |year=2009 | publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-0-557-09053-2}}</ref> Adherents also believe in, worship, and revere ''Dharti ayo'' or ''Chalapachho Devi'', the [[mother goddess]] identified as the earth or nature.


== Practices ==
*
{{Expand section|date=April 2023}}
*
[[File:Sarna worshippers following their religious rites.jpg|thumb|Sarna worshippers following their religious rites]]
*
[[Sarna (place)|Sarna]] is place of worship which is sacred grove in Chotanagpur. It is called ''Jaher than ''or ''Jaher gar'' among [[Santal people|Santal]], and can be found in villages. [[Shorea robusta|Sal trees]] are in the sacred grove. The ceremonies are performed by the whole village community at a public gathering with the active participation of village priests, ''pahan'' and assistant ''Pujar '' in Chotanagpur. The priest is called ''Naike'' among Santal. The sthal typically has multiple trees like sal, [[Madhuca longifolia|mahua]], neem, and banyan.

The main festival of Sarnaism is [[Sarhul]], a festival in which devotees worship their ancestors. During the festival, the ''pahan'' brings three water pots to the ''sarna''. If the water pots reduce in level, they believe the monsoon will fail, but if it stays the same the monsoon will come as normal. Men then offer ''sakua'' flowers and leaves.<ref>{{harvp|Srivastava|2007}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{see also|Religion in Jharkhand|Tribes of Jharkhand}}
{{Historical population
|1961|428687
|1971|951558 <!--ST followers: 859701 -->
|1981|1391178
|1991|1820454
|2001|4075246
|2011|4957467
|footnote=Note: In [[1981 Census of India|1981]] and [[1991 Census of India|1991 census]], the religion 'Sarna' was recorded as 'Swarna'.
|source=Census of India<ref name=Hembram1982>{{harvp|Hembram|1982|page=88}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Special Tables For Scheduled Tribes, Part V-A (ii), Series-1, India |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/32121/download/35302/50760_1971_SPE.pdf |pages=305}}</ref><ref name=Religion1981>{{cite web|title=Household Population by Religion of Head of Household, Series-1, Paper 3 of 1984, India - Census 1981|publisher=Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |year=1984 |page=54 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/30879/download/34060/26795_1981_HH.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724180108/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/30879/download/34060/26795_1981_HH.pdf |archive-date=24 July 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Religion1991>{{cite web|title=Religion, Paper 1 of 1995, Series-1, India - Census 1991 |publisher=Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |year=1995 |page=50 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/32995/download/36813/48848_1991_REL.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918171054/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/32995/download/36813/48848_1991_REL.pdf |archive-date=18 September 2023}}</ref><ref name=Religion2001>{{cite web|title=C-01 Appendix: Details of religious communities shown Under 'other religious and persuasions' in main table C-01, India - 2001 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/21563/download/24695/PC01_C01_APP_00.xls }}</ref><ref name=Relegion2011/>}}
[[File:Sarnaism in 1961.svg|thumb|Distribution of Sarnaism, [[1961 Census of India|1961 Census]]]]

{{Pie chart
|caption= '''Adherents of Sarna, 2011 census'''<ref name=TribalReligion/>
|label1 = [[Santal]]
|value1 = 30.48
|label2 = [[Kurukh people|Oraon]]
|value2 = 21.35
|label3 = [[Ho people|Ho]]
|value3 = 17.87
|label4 = [[Munda people|Munda]]
|value4 = 12.48
|label5 = [[Bhumij people|Bhumij]]
|value5 = 1.72
|label6 = Lohra
|value6 = 1.70
|label7 = [[Mahali]]
|value7 = 1.07
|label8 = [[Kharia people|Kharia]]
|value8 = 0.87
|label9 = [[Bedia (caste)|Bedia]]
|value9 = 0.67
|label10 = Other Tribes
|value10 = 4.42
|label11 = [[Other Backward Class]]es and Non-Scheduled Communities
|value11 = 7.39
|footer =The statistics show solely Sarna adherents, without consideration of ''[[Sari Dharam]]'' or other [[Religious denomination|denominations]] claimed to be synonymous.
}}
According to the [[2011 Census of India|2011 census of India]], apart from the six major religions, namely [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Christianity]], [[Sikhism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]], and the "Not Stated" category, other religions are categorized as "Other Religions and Persuasions," within which the Sarna belief is included. In the 2011 census, the Sarna religion counted 4,957,467 followers in India, primarily in the eastern states of Jharkhand (83.33%), Odisha (8.14%), West Bengal (8.13%), Bihar (0.21%), and Chhattisgarh (0.16%), with smaller numbers of followers in Assam (301), Punjab (190), and Madhya Pradesh (133).<ref name=Relegion2011/> [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Tribes]] comprise the majority of believers at 92.60%, while Other Backward Classes and Non-Scheduled Communities accounted for 7.39%.<ref name=TribalReligion>{{multiref2
|{{Cite web|title=ST-14 A: Scheduled tribe population by religious community (State/UT level), Jharkhand - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/12523/download/15636/ST-20-00-014A-DDW-2011.XLS |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=October 25, 2023}}
|{{Cite web|title=ST-14 A: Scheduled tribe population by religious community (State/UT level), Odisha - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/12524/download/15637/ST-21-00-014A-DDW-2011.XLS |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=October 25, 2023}}
|{{Cite web|title=ST-14 A: Scheduled tribe population by religious community (State/UT level), West Bengal - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/12522/download/15635/ST-19-00-014A-DDW-2011.XLS |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=October 25, 2023}}
|{{Cite web|title=ST-14 A: Scheduled tribe population by religious community (State/UT level), Bihar - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/12513/download/15626/ST-10-00-014A-DDW-2011.XLS |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=October 25, 2023}}
|{{Cite web|title=ST-14 A: Scheduled tribe population by religious community (State/UT level), Chhattisgarh - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/12525/download/15638/ST-22-00-014A-DDW-2011.XLS |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=October 25, 2023}}
}}</ref> Among the prominent tribes practicing Sarna are [[Santal people|Santal]] (30.48%), [[Kurukh people|Oraon]] (21.35%), [[Ho people|Ho]] (17.87%), [[Munda people|Munda]] (12.48%), [[Bhumij people|Bhumij]] (1.72%), Lohra (1.70%), [[Mahali]] (1.07%), [[Kharia people|Kharia]] (0.87%), and [[Bedia (caste)|Bedia]] (0.64%). While other tribes, such as [[Kisan people|Kisan]], [[Kolha]], [[Gondi people|Gond]], Kharwar, [[Chik Baraik]], [[Asur people|Asur]], Bhinjia, [[Karmali tribe|Karmali]], [[Kora (tribe)|Kora]], [[Kol people|Kol]], [[Kanwar (tribe)|Kawar]], Birja, [[Mal Paharia people|Mal Paharia]], Savar, [[Birhor people|Birhor]], Gorait, Parhaiya, [[Lodha people|Lodha]], [[Chero]], [[Kharwar|Khanwar]], [[Sauria Paharia people|Suria Paharia]], Mundari, [[Baiga tribe|Baiga]], [[Korwa people|Korwa]], [[Sounti]], Binjhwar, [[Nagesia]], Mahli, and various generic tribes, collectively constitute 4.42%.<ref name=TribalReligion/>

Additionally, there are 506,369 followers of [[Sari Dharam]] in India,<ref name=Relegion2011/> primarily followed by the Santal tribe of West Bengal, representing 94.43% of the total Sari Dharam adherents.<ref name=TribalReligion/> The religious denomination, which often considered as synonyms or sect of Sarnaisim.

== Religious status ==
As a result of [[Western colonialism]] and [[Western imperialism in Asia|imperialism in Asia]], several attempts of [[indoctrination]] and [[Forced conversion#Christianity|forced conversion]] were carried out by western Christian missionaries in [[colonial India]], which went on for a century, and have caused [[sectarian conflict]] in the tribal areas of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau|Chota Nagpur region]]. The arrival of the first German Protestant missionaries in 1845 was followed by Roman Catholic missionaries; conflict between [[Christians|Christian]] and Non-Christian tribals became evident in 1947–1948, when [[Independence of India|British colonial rulers left India]].<ref name=rel2>[https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/tribals-torn-apart-by-religion/article5934381.ece Tribals torn apart by religion], The Hindu. 014.</ref>

==Politics==
{{POV section|date=September 2023}}
The [[National Commission for Scheduled Tribes]] (NCST) has suggested that Sarna religion be accorded independent category in the religion code of the [[Census of India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ST panel for independent religion status to Sarna |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/7433842.cms |website=The Times of India |language=en-IN |date=6 February 2011}}</ref>
Several tribal organisations and Christian missionaries are demanding a distinct census code for Sarnaism.<ref name=rel6>{{cite news |first=Santosh K. |last=Kiro |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130819/jsp/jharkhand/story_17245599.jsp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140103232048/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130819/jsp/jharkhand/story_17245599.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |title=Delhi demo for Sarna identity |newspaper=The Telegraph |year=2013}}</ref><ref name=rel8>{{cite news |first=Pranab |last=Mukherjee |author-link=Pranab Mukherjee |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Tribals-to-rally-for-inclusion-of-Sarna-religion-in-census/articleshow/19282700.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002175305/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-30/ranchi/38144883_1_census-format-separate-sarna-religion-code-rally |url-status=live |archive-date=2013-10-02 |title=Tribals to rally for inclusion of Sarna religion in census |date=2013-03-30 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The then Indian [[Ministry of Tribal Affairs|Minister of Tribal Affairs]], [[Jual Oram]], had, however, claimed in 2015, "There is no denial of the fact that tribals are [[Hindus]]."<ref name=rel1>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/all-tribals-are-hindus-no-need-for-sarna-code-rss/articleshow/49616469.cms All tribals are Hindus, no need for Sarna code: RSS], Times of India, 1 May 2015.</ref> The comment led to protests from 300 tribals, over 100 of whom were arrested by the police to clear the way for Oram, who was going to inaugurate a fair.<ref name="Minister faces ire for Sarna row">{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/jharkhand/minister-faces-ire-for-sarna-row/cid/1377629 | title=Minister faces ire for Sarna row }}</ref> Adivasi Sarna Mahasabha leader and former MLA Dev Kumar Dhan said that followers of the Sarna religion were not happy with the statement made by Oram and added, ''"If Jainism, having a population of hardly 60 lakh, can have a separate religion code in the Census forms, why can't Sarnas? This tribal religion have more than 10 crore followers spread over the Fifth Scheduled states like [[Jharkhand]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Maharashtra|Maharastra]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Rajasthan]] and [[Odisha]]. Instead of taking steps to ensure a separate religion code, he is saying Sarnas are [[Hindus]]"''.<ref name="Minister faces ire for Sarna row"/>

In 2020, [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha]]'s (JMM), which was in power in Jharkhand at that time, passed a unanimous assembly resolution on 'Sarna Code' for the inclusion of Sarna as separate religion in 2021 census, and sent to central government for approval.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jharkhand Assembly passes resolution on Sarna Code |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/jharkhand-assembly-passes-resolution-on-sarna-code/article33081116.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=12 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Bisoee |first=Animesh |date=25 September 2021 |title=Tribals from nine states seek Sarna code in 2021 census |newspaper=[[:The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/jharkhand/tribals-seek-sarna-code-from-centre-in-2021-census/cid/1832132 }}</ref>

Many tribal organizations seek its recognition as a distinct religious category for indigenous peoples.<ref name="outlook india"/> Several Christian churches also support the recognition of Sarna as a different religion from [[Hinduism]].<ref name=rel3>[https://www.telegraphindia.com/jharkhand/church-writes-to-hemant-demanding-sarna-code-for-tribals/cid/1792471 Church writes to Hemant demanding Sarna code for tribals], Telegraph India, 19.09.2020.</ref> But the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]] is against the recognition of Sarna as a separate religion as it believes that tribal people are [[Hinduism|Hindus]].<ref name=rel1/>

== Organisations ==
*Akhil Bharatiya Sarna Dharam (ABSD)
*All India Sarna Dharam Mandowa (AISDM)
*Kherwal Saonta Semled (KSS)
*[[Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal]] (BJMPM)
*Adivasi Socio-Educational and Cultural Association (ASECA)
*Kendriya Sarna Samiti


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 26: Line 143:
== Bibliography==
== Bibliography==
===Books===
===Books===
* {{Cite book|first1=Shamsher |last1=Alam |first2=Kumari Vibhuti |last2=Nayak |chapter="Sarna Adivasi" Religion Code: Contextualizing Religious Identity of Tribals in India |pages=262–266 |title=Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Sustainable Development |year=2023 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-032-60104-5}}
* {{cite book |first=A.K. |last=Sachchidananda |title=Elite and Development |publisher=Concept Publishing Co. |place=New Delhi |year=1980 |asin=B000MBN8J2}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Mukul |chapter="Come Let Us All Play": Sacred Groves, Sarna, and "Green" Politics in Jharkhand, India
* {{cite book |first=James |last=Minahan |title=Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An encyclopedia |series=Ethnic Groups of the World |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2012 |isbn=978-1598846591}}
|title=Sacred Forests of Asia – Spiritual ecology and the politics of natural conservation |editor-last1=Coggins |editor-first1=Chris |editor-last2=Chen |editor-first2=Bixia |year=2022 |publisher=Routledge|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nHYIEQAAQBAJ&pg=PA36 |doi=10.4324/9781003143680-5 |isbn=9781003143680 |lccn=2021054055}}
* {{Cite book |first=Balmukund |last=Virottam |title=Religious History of the Chotanagpur Tribes: (Sarna Dharam to Christianity) |year=2020 |publisher=Himalaya Publishing Housr |isbn=978-93-90515-60-8 |oclc=1320817862}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781351393942 |title=Force of Nature: Essays on History and Politics of Environment |chapter=The Sarna Movement in Jharkhand |last= Borde |first=Radhika |date=2017-08-07 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-315-14168-8 |editor-last=Nag |editor-first=Sajal |edition=1 |language=en |doi=10.4324/9781315141688-9 |pages=165–178}}
* {{cite book |first=James |last=Minahan |title=Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An encyclopedia |series=Ethnic Groups of the World |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-59884-659-1}}
* {{cite book |first=Kishor Vidya |last=Niketan |title=The Spectrum of Tribal Religion in Bihar: A study of continuity & change among the Oraon of Chotanagpur |year=1988}}
* {{cite book |first=Kishor Vidya |last=Niketan |title=The Spectrum of Tribal Religion in Bihar: A study of continuity & change among the Oraon of Chotanagpur |year=1988}}
* {{cite book |first=Phatik Chandra |last=Hembram |title=Sari-Sarna (Santhal religion) |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=1988 |isbn=8170990440}}
* {{cite book |first=Phatik Chandra |last=Hembram |title=Sari-Sarna (Santhal religion) |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=1988 |isbn=8170990440}}
* {{Cite book |last=Hembram |first=P.C. |chapter=Return to sacred grove
|editor-last=Singh |editor-first=K.S. |url=https://archive.org/details/tmi.singh_vol.ii/ |title=Tribal Movements in India |volume=II |publisher=Manohar |year=1982 |edition=2006 reprint}}
* {{cite book |first=A.K. |last=Sachchidananda |title=Elite and Development |publisher=Concept Publishing Co. |place=New Delhi |year=1980 |asin=B000MBN8J2}}


===Journal articles===
===Journal articles===

* {{cite journal |first=Malini |last=Srivastava |url=http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/T-Anth/Anth-09-0-000-000-2007-Web/Anth-09-4-000-07-Abst-PDF/Anth-09-4-327-07-417-Srivastava-M/Anth-09-4-327-07-417-Srivastava-M-Tt.pdf |title=The Sacred Complex of Munda Tribe <!-- Department of Anthropology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211 002, Uttar Pradesh, India --> |journal=Anthropologist |volume=9 |issue=4 |pages=327–330 |year=2007|doi=10.1080/09720073.2007.11891020 |s2cid=73737689 }}
* {{cite journal |first=Malini |last=Srivastava |url=http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/T-Anth/Anth-09-0-000-000-2007-Web/Anth-09-4-000-07-Abst-PDF/Anth-09-4-327-07-417-Srivastava-M/Anth-09-4-327-07-417-Srivastava-M-Tt.pdf |title=The Sacred Complex of Munda Tribe <!-- Department of Anthropology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211 002, Uttar Pradesh, India --> |journal=Anthropologist |volume=9 |issue=4 |pages=327–330 |year=2007|doi=10.1080/09720073.2007.11891020 |s2cid=73737689 }}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|editor-last=Behera|editor-first= M.C. |year=2024 |title=The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Readings on Tribe and Religions in India: Emerging Negotiations |edition=1st |publisher=Routledge India |isbn=9781032522159|doi=10.4324/9781003516415}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Sarnaism}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.arsnetwork.org/ |title=Adivasi Religion and Society Network |website=arsnetwork.org}}

{{paganism}}{{Religion topics}}{{Religion in India topics}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Ethnic religions in Asia]]
[[Category:Sacred groves of India]]
[[Category:Veneration of the dead]]

Latest revision as of 01:20, 26 December 2024

Sarnaism
Flag of Sarnaism
The Sarnaism Symbol used by Santals
Total population
c. 5 million[1]
Regions with significant populations
 India
Jharkhand4,131,282[2]
Odisha403,350[2]
West Bengal403,250[2]
Bihar10,407[2]
Chhattisgarh8,057[2]

Sarnaism is a religious faith of the Indian subcontinent, predominantly followed by indigenous communities of Chota Nagpur Plateau region across states like Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.[3][4]

The essence of the Sarna faith revolves around Nature worship. Its core principles emphasize jal (water), jaṅgal (forest) and jamīn (land), with adherents offering prayers to trees and hills while believing in the protection of forests.[3] This belief centers around the reverence of Sarna, the sacred groves of village communities where the village deity, known as Gram deoti resides, and where sacrificial offerings are made twice a year. It is also referred to as "Sarna Dharma" or the "Religion of the Holy Woods",[5][6] and it holds the distinction of being India's largest tribal religion.[1]

Etymology

[edit]

The term "Sarna", derived from the Mundari language, means "sacred grove", referring to the sites where tribal religious practices take place, although the term for sacred grove varies among tribes; for instance, the Santals call it Jaher Era, Oraons call it Kurukh Kuti, Hos call it Desauli.[7][8] However, Sarna is etymologically related to the name of the sal tree.[9]

History

[edit]

Sarnaism emerged in the 1930s when tribal activists in the Chota Nagpur region of Bihar proposed it as a unifying term for the diverse, nature-based ancestral practices of tribal communities, distinct from mainstream religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.[10][11][12]

However, initially, the concept of unifying tribal belief was prevalent among the Oraon tribe of Ranchi as a way to assert tribal identity and resist assimilation and conversions. Later, the Munda joined its fold when a concession was made to use "Sarna" as the name of the religion. Sarnaism gained broader acceptance through socio-political leaders like Jaipal Singh Munda, Raghunath Murmu, who spearheaded its cultural and political significance.[13][14][7][15] Post-independence, Sarnaism experienced steady growth, with significant developments in 1971 and 2001 when larger tribes like the Hos and Santals embraced it, resulting in over 100 percent decadal growth. Politically, Sarnaism grew alongside the Jharkhand movement, formulated by the Adivasi Mahasabha and the Jharkhand Party, with the motifs of tribal identity and separate autonomy, which succeeded in 2000 when the tribal-concentrated southern Bihar bifurcated as a separate state, Jharkhand.

Theology

[edit]

The adherents of Sarnaism believe in, worship, and revere a village deity as protector of village called Gaon khunt, Gram deoti, Marang Buru, Singbonga, or by other names by different tribes.[16] Adherents also believe in, worship, and revere Dharti ayo or Chalapachho Devi, the mother goddess identified as the earth or nature.

Practices

[edit]
Sarna worshippers following their religious rites

Sarna is place of worship which is sacred grove in Chotanagpur. It is called Jaher than or Jaher gar among Santal, and can be found in villages. Sal trees are in the sacred grove. The ceremonies are performed by the whole village community at a public gathering with the active participation of village priests, pahan and assistant Pujar in Chotanagpur. The priest is called Naike among Santal. The sthal typically has multiple trees like sal, mahua, neem, and banyan.

The main festival of Sarnaism is Sarhul, a festival in which devotees worship their ancestors. During the festival, the pahan brings three water pots to the sarna. If the water pots reduce in level, they believe the monsoon will fail, but if it stays the same the monsoon will come as normal. Men then offer sakua flowers and leaves.[17]

Demographics

[edit]
See also: Religion in Jharkhand and Tribes of Jharkhand
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1961428,687—    
1971951,558+122.0%
19811,391,178+46.2%
19911,820,454+30.9%
20014,075,246+123.9%
20114,957,467+21.6%
Note: In 1981 and 1991 census, the religion 'Sarna' was recorded as 'Swarna'.
Source: Census of India[18][19][20][21][22][2]
Distribution of Sarnaism, 1961 Census

Adherents of Sarna, 2011 census[23]

  Santal (30.48%)
  Oraon (21.35%)
  Ho (17.87%)
  Munda (12.48%)
  Bhumij (1.72%)
  Lohra (1.70%)
  Mahali (1.07%)
  Kharia (0.87%)
  Bedia (0.67%)
  Other Tribes (4.42%)
  Other Backward Classes and Non-Scheduled Communities (7.39%)

The statistics show solely Sarna adherents, without consideration of Sari Dharam or other denominations claimed to be synonymous.

According to the 2011 census of India, apart from the six major religions, namely Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the "Not Stated" category, other religions are categorized as "Other Religions and Persuasions," within which the Sarna belief is included. In the 2011 census, the Sarna religion counted 4,957,467 followers in India, primarily in the eastern states of Jharkhand (83.33%), Odisha (8.14%), West Bengal (8.13%), Bihar (0.21%), and Chhattisgarh (0.16%), with smaller numbers of followers in Assam (301), Punjab (190), and Madhya Pradesh (133).[2] Scheduled Tribes comprise the majority of believers at 92.60%, while Other Backward Classes and Non-Scheduled Communities accounted for 7.39%.[23] Among the prominent tribes practicing Sarna are Santal (30.48%), Oraon (21.35%), Ho (17.87%), Munda (12.48%), Bhumij (1.72%), Lohra (1.70%), Mahali (1.07%), Kharia (0.87%), and Bedia (0.64%). While other tribes, such as Kisan, Kolha, Gond, Kharwar, Chik Baraik, Asur, Bhinjia, Karmali, Kora, Kol, Kawar, Birja, Mal Paharia, Savar, Birhor, Gorait, Parhaiya, Lodha, Chero, Khanwar, Suria Paharia, Mundari, Baiga, Korwa, Sounti, Binjhwar, Nagesia, Mahli, and various generic tribes, collectively constitute 4.42%.[23]

Additionally, there are 506,369 followers of Sari Dharam in India,[2] primarily followed by the Santal tribe of West Bengal, representing 94.43% of the total Sari Dharam adherents.[23] The religious denomination, which often considered as synonyms or sect of Sarnaisim.

Religious status

[edit]

As a result of Western colonialism and imperialism in Asia, several attempts of indoctrination and forced conversion were carried out by western Christian missionaries in colonial India, which went on for a century, and have caused sectarian conflict in the tribal areas of the Chota Nagpur region. The arrival of the first German Protestant missionaries in 1845 was followed by Roman Catholic missionaries; conflict between Christian and Non-Christian tribals became evident in 1947–1948, when British colonial rulers left India.[24]

Politics

[edit]

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has suggested that Sarna religion be accorded independent category in the religion code of the Census of India.[25] Several tribal organisations and Christian missionaries are demanding a distinct census code for Sarnaism.[26][27] The then Indian Minister of Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, had, however, claimed in 2015, "There is no denial of the fact that tribals are Hindus."[28] The comment led to protests from 300 tribals, over 100 of whom were arrested by the police to clear the way for Oram, who was going to inaugurate a fair.[29] Adivasi Sarna Mahasabha leader and former MLA Dev Kumar Dhan said that followers of the Sarna religion were not happy with the statement made by Oram and added, "If Jainism, having a population of hardly 60 lakh, can have a separate religion code in the Census forms, why can't Sarnas? This tribal religion have more than 10 crore followers spread over the Fifth Scheduled states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharastra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Odisha. Instead of taking steps to ensure a separate religion code, he is saying Sarnas are Hindus".[29]

In 2020, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's (JMM), which was in power in Jharkhand at that time, passed a unanimous assembly resolution on 'Sarna Code' for the inclusion of Sarna as separate religion in 2021 census, and sent to central government for approval.[30][31]

Many tribal organizations seek its recognition as a distinct religious category for indigenous peoples.[3] Several Christian churches also support the recognition of Sarna as a different religion from Hinduism.[32] But the RSS is against the recognition of Sarna as a separate religion as it believes that tribal people are Hindus.[28]

Organisations

[edit]
  • Akhil Bharatiya Sarna Dharam (ABSD)
  • All India Sarna Dharam Mandowa (AISDM)
  • Kherwal Saonta Semled (KSS)
  • Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal (BJMPM)
  • Adivasi Socio-Educational and Cultural Association (ASECA)
  • Kendriya Sarna Samiti

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Kramer, Stephanie (September 21, 2021). Religious Composition of India (PDF) (Report). Pew Research Center. p. 21. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 2, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "C-01 Appendix: Details of religious community shown under 'Other religions and persuasions' in main table C01 - 2011". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.
  3. ^ a b c "Explained: What Is The Sarna Religious Code And What Are Its Followers Demanding?". outlook india. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Religious Complexity in Northeastern South Asia". GeoCurrents. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  5. ^ Minahan 2012
  6. ^ "In India, Believers in an Ancient Indigenous Faith Seek Formal Recognition". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ^ a b Hembram (1982)
  8. ^ Sharma (2022), p. 38
  9. ^ Krishna, Nanditha (2017-12-26). Hinduism and Nature. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-87326-54-5.
  10. ^ Hembram 1988.
  11. ^ Virginius, Xaxa (2008). State, Society, and Tribes: Issues in Post-Colonial India. Pearson Education India. p. 53. ISBN 978-93-325-0632-9.
  12. ^ Mishra, Asha; Paty, Chittaranjan Kumar (2010). Tribal Movements in Jharkhand, 1857-2007. Concept Publishing Company. p. 134. ISBN 978-81-8069-686-2.
  13. ^ Behera, Maguni Charan; Gatuam, Ambrish (2024). "Transcendental Religious Space in Jharkhand: Reading Present from the Past". In Behera, Maguni Charan (ed.). The Routledge Handbook of Tribe and Religions in India: Contemporary Readings on Spirituality, Belief and Identity. Taylor & Francis. p. 158. ISBN 978-1-040-11433-9.
  14. ^ Carrin, Marine; Tambs-Lyche, Harald (2008). An Encounter of Peripheries: Santals, Missionaries, and Their Changing Worlds, 1867-1900. Manohar Publishers & Distributors. p. 343. ISBN 978-81-7304-755-8.
  15. ^ Borde (2017), p. 167: "In the mid-1950s, Jaipal Singh Munda, the leader of the Jharkhand movement is reported to have formulated the basic tenets of what is now known as the Sarna Dharam."
  16. ^ Amit Jha (2009). Contemporary Religious Institutions in Tribal India. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-557-09053-2.
  17. ^ Srivastava (2007)
  18. ^ Hembram (1982), p. 88
  19. ^ Special Tables For Scheduled Tribes, Part V-A (ii), Series-1, India (PDF). p. 305.
  20. ^ "Household Population by Religion of Head of Household, Series-1, Paper 3 of 1984, India - Census 1981" (PDF). Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. 1984. p. 54. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Religion, Paper 1 of 1995, Series-1, India - Census 1991" (PDF). Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. 1995. p. 50. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 September 2023.
  22. ^ "C-01 Appendix: Details of religious communities shown Under 'other religious and persuasions' in main table C-01, India - 2001". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.
  23. ^ a b c d
  24. ^ Tribals torn apart by religion, The Hindu. 014.
  25. ^ "ST panel for independent religion status to Sarna". The Times of India. 6 February 2011.
  26. ^ Kiro, Santosh K. (2013). "Delhi demo for Sarna identity". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014.
  27. ^ Mukherjee, Pranab (30 March 2013). "Tribals to rally for inclusion of Sarna religion in census". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013.
  28. ^ a b All tribals are Hindus, no need for Sarna code: RSS, Times of India, 1 May 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Minister faces ire for Sarna row".
  30. ^ "Jharkhand Assembly passes resolution on Sarna Code". The Hindu. 12 November 2020.
  31. ^ Bisoee, Animesh (25 September 2021). "Tribals from nine states seek Sarna code in 2021 census". The Telegraph.
  32. ^ Church writes to Hemant demanding Sarna code for tribals, Telegraph India, 19.09.2020.

Bibliography

[edit]

Books

[edit]

Journal articles

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Behera, M.C., ed. (2024). The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Readings on Tribe and Religions in India: Emerging Negotiations (1st ed.). Routledge India. doi:10.4324/9781003516415. ISBN 9781032522159.
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