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The Santal tribal community in Baramsia village, located in the Jamá block of Dumka district, has revived its tradition of weekly worship at the sacred ‘Manjhi Thaan’. This initiative, driven by social worker Sachidanand Soren and community leaders like the Majhi Baba and other traditional functionaries, marks a significant cultural resurgence. The inaugural ‘Manjhi Thaan Bonga Buru’ (worship) saw active participation from all community members, from the youngest children to the elders. The sacred grove was cleansed before the rituals commenced. Villagers, both men and women, came together to offer prayers using traditional methods, including incense and sacred water, alongside sweets. This collective worship will now take place every Sunday.
This revival underscores the community’s commitment to preserving their religious beliefs and cultural practices. The worship is performed in honor of Marang Buru, their principal deity. The primary aims of these weekly ceremonies are to strengthen community bonds, promote spiritual well-being, and ensure the transmission of their unique cultural heritage to the younger generation. The initiative seeks to instill a sense of pride and understanding of traditions among youth and children, encouraging them towards a virtuous path. The ‘Manjhi Thaan Bonga Buru’ is also viewed as a catalyst for social cohesion, fostering peace, prosperity, and fraternity. Additionally, prayers were offered for the development of children, focusing on virtues like sobriety, education, and respect for parents and elders. The event concluded with the distribution of prasad among all devotees.