Sarnaism

Sarnaism

Flag of Sarnaism
The Sarnaism Symbol used by Santals
Total population
c. 5 million[1]
Regions with significant populations
India
Jharkhand	4,131,282[2]
Odisha	403,350[2]
West Bengal	403,250[2]
Bihar	10,407[2]
Chhatisgarh	8,057[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]

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]

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]

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, who spearheaded its cultural and political significance.^[11][7][12] 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 played a key role in advocating for tribal identity and cultural autonomy, ultimately contributing to the creation of tribal state Jharkhand in 2000 by bifurcation of Bihar.

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.^[13] Adherents also believe in, worship, and revere Dharti ayo or Chalapachho Devi, the mother goddess identified as the earth or nature.

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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.^[14]

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1961	428,687	—
1971	951,558	+122.0%
1981	1,391,178	+46.2%
1991	1,820,454	+30.9%
2001	4,075,246	+123.9%
2011	4,957,467	+21.6%
Note: In 1981 and 1991 census, the religion 'Sarna' was recorded as 'Swarna'. Source: Census of India[15][16][17][18][19][2]

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%.^[20] 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%.^[20]

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.^[20] The religious denomination, which often considered as synonyms or sect of Sarnaisim.

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.^[21]

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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.^[22] Several tribal organisations and Christian missionaries are demanding a distinct census code for Sarnaism.^[23][24] 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."^[25] 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.^[26] 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".^[27]

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.^[28][29]

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.^[30] But the RSS is against the recognition of Sarna as a separate religion as it believes that tribal people are Hindus.^[25]

• 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

• Hinduism
• Indian-origin religions
• Tribal religions in India
• Hindu denominations
• Sacred groves

• Alam, Shamsher; Nayak, Kumari Vibhuti (2023). ""Sarna Adivasi" Religion Code: Contextualizing Religious Identity of Tribals in India". Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Sustainable Development. CRC Press. pp. 262–266. ISBN 978-1-032-60104-5.
• Sharma, Mukul (2022). ""Come Let Us All Play": Sacred Groves, Sarna, and "Green" Politics in Jharkhand, India". In Coggins, Chris; Chen, Bixia (eds.). Sacred Forests of Asia – Spiritual ecology and the politics of natural conservation. Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003143680-5. ISBN 9781003143680. LCCN 2021054055.
• Virottam, Balmukund (2020). Religious History of the Chotanagpur Tribes: (Sarna Dharam to Christianity). Himalaya Publishing Housr. ISBN 978-93-90515-60-8. OCLC 1320817862.
• Borde, Radhika (2017-08-07). "The Sarna Movement in Jharkhand". In Nag, Sajal (ed.). Force of Nature: Essays on History and Politics of Environment (1 ed.). Routledge. pp. 165–178. doi:10.4324/9781315141688-9. ISBN 978-1-315-14168-8.
• Minahan, James (2012). Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An encyclopedia. Ethnic Groups of the World. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-59884-659-1.
• Niketan, Kishor Vidya (1988). The Spectrum of Tribal Religion in Bihar: A study of continuity & change among the Oraon of Chotanagpur.
• Hembram, Phatik Chandra (1988). Sari-Sarna (Santhal religion). Mittal Publications. ISBN 8170990440.
• Hembram, P.C. (1982). "Return to sacred grove". In Singh, K.S. (ed.). Tribal Movements in India. Vol. II (2006 reprint ed.). Manohar.
• Sachchidananda, A.K. (1980). Elite and Development. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Co. ASIN B000MBN8J2.

• Srivastava, Malini (2007). "The Sacred Complex of Munda Tribe" (PDF). Anthropologist. 9 (4): 327–330. doi:10.1080/09720073.2007.11891020. S2CID 73737689.

• 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.

• "Adivasi Religion and Society Network". arsnetwork.org.