Jharkhand, which is located in the eastern region of India. It is famous for its diverse tribal heritage and the various tribal communities living there. Many tribal groups live together inside Jharkhand. Each group has its own unique culture, ancient customs, languages, and interesting way of life. These tribes form an important part of the state's identity and contribute greatly to its rich culture and society.
Jharkhand has 32 tribal groups officially recognized as Scheduled Tribes, of which 8 are particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). which is a huge number of tribal people. These tribes constitute 26% of the total population of the state. Their presence is significant and means that tribal traditions and beliefs are deeply rooted in the daily lives of people in Jharkhand. This makes the multiculturalism of the state more colorful, diverse, and interesting.
Tribal communities live in their own unique ways and have a strong relationship with nature. They have successfully preserved their cultural heritage over the centuries and have kept their traditions intact for generations. Ashur tribes have lived in these lush forests for centuries. The roots of the Ashur tribe can be traced back to ancient times, as they have inhabited the forests and hills of Jharkhand for countless millennia. Ashur tribes are particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). in which, including 8 PVTGs out of 32 tribal communities in Jharkhand.
The Ashur Tribe: An Overview
Unraveling the Ashur Tribe's Roots
Ashur tribe is considered to be the oldest tribe in India. The Ashur Tribe has always been a subject of fascination for anthropologists, historians, and wanderers alike. The Ashur Tribe has a fascinating history that dates back centuries. they are settled in the beautiful forests and hills of Jharkhand. Over time, they developed a deep connection with nature, which profoundly influenced their way of life and rituals. About the Asur tribe in Jharkhand, we get some details from the Bihar District Gazetteers (Hazaribagh), which was published in 1957, Written by P.C Roy Chowdhury. In this gazetteer, Ashur Maharaja, who is described by the writer as a highly powerful effulgent, and preserving lord paramount, like the sun, he robbed all other kings of their splendor and obtained the suzerainty of the whole world. Asur Maharaja is the king of the Asur tribe. which name was Hudur Durga (https://bit.ly/43mY3RQ). The Asur tribe comes from a group of very old humans called Proto-Australoids. These humans began moving from Africa about 65,000 years ago(https://bit.ly/43hHA1d). The present-day Asur Tribe is divided into three smaller groups: Bir Asur, Birjia Asur, and Agaria Asur. The Asurs are regarded as one of the indigenous tribal communities. They can be found in the districts of Gumla, Lohardaga, Palamu, and Latehar within the state of Jharkhand.
The Significance of Rituals
Rituals form an integral part of the Ashur Tribe's
way of life. Passed down from one generation to another, these rituals hold
profound spiritual meanings and are performed on various occasions. From birth
to death, from sowing seeds to harvesting crops, each moment in the Ashur
Tribe's life is punctuated with sacred ceremonies, ensuring a harmonious
coexistence with nature and fellow community members.
- The
Harvest Festival: Celebrating Nature's Bounty
The Asur Tribe's way of farming is connected to their
spiritual beliefs. They have a special celebration called the Harvest Festival
to show gratitude for their hard work throughout the year and the many good
things they get from the Earth. During this festival, everyone comes together
and there's music with drums and singing that honors the tribe's strong respect
for nature.
- The
Dance of Spirits: Communing with Ancestors
The Ashur Tribe performs a special dance called the Dance of Spirits to honor their ancestors and ask for their blessings. They wear beautiful costumes and the music has a mysterious sound. This traditional dance connects the tribe to their past and is believed to bring the spirits of their ancestors back to life. The spirits are thought to watch over and protect the tribe during this enchanting performance.
- The
Ritual of Initiation: Passing Down Ancient Wisdom
A very important part of the Ashur Tribe's customs is the
initiation ceremony. This is when young members become adults and learn all
about the tribe's special knowledge and traditions. During this ceremony, the
older members share their wisdom, stories, and skills with the young ones. It's
a special experience that helps keep the tribe's culture alive for future
generations.
Ashur Tribe's Hidden Stories
The Rich Heritage of the Ashur Tribe
People in South Asia started working with metals a long time ago, even before the 3rd millennium BCE. They kept doing it until the time when the British ruled India. The ancient texts from the early Vedic period mention metals and related ideas. India had cultural and trade connections with the Near East and the Greco-Roman world, which allowed them to share knowledge about working with metals. The Mughal Empire in India made further advancements in metallurgy and metalworking based on the existing traditions. Unfortunately, during the time when the British ruled India, their rules and policies caused a decline in the progress of metallurgy in India. The British controlled mining and metalworking, which limited the development of these practices. We don't know exactly how people first discovered iron. It was probably by accident, through some unexpected event or situation. In the past, the first iron that people found was from meteors falling from the sky. They have been using this type of iron for around 5000 years. The history of iron-making by tribal craftsmen in different parts of India goes back to 1300 to 1200 BCE. these craftsmen, like the Asur, Birziya, and others, made a living by creating iron objects from scrap metal. they made things that were needed by the local community.
Traditionally, the Asur have been the iron smelters. They would make charcoal from fresh sal wood near river banks. They would then use this charcoal to smelt iron ore and provide iron to the Lohara community for making tools. A special type of furnace is made to prepare iron. in which, Fine coal dust is mixed with clay and sand to prepare the furnace bottom and seal the front wall of the furnace. The furnace bottom is shaped like a bowl, and a hole is made on one side for tapping out the slag
However, due to forest laws and regulations, their traditional rights over the forest have been taken away. Additionally, modern and more affordable methods of making iron have replaced their traditional iron smelting practices with shifting cultivation.
The cast iron made by these tribal iron craftsmen in ancient India was of very good quality and had special chemical properties. We know this because there are records from the time of Chandragupta that talk about it. Back then, India was seen as the most skilled country, even by Imperial Rome, in different chemical industries like making iron, dyeing, tanning, soap making, glass, cement, etc...
Herodotus, a Greek historian, noted that both the Indian and Persian armies used iron-tipped arrows. The ancient Romans utilized Indian iron for crafting armor and cutlery. Pliny the Elder, a Roman scholar, also mentioned the use of Indian iron. In his writings, Muhammad al-Idrisi noted that the Hindus excelled in iron manufacturing. Indian iron was often regarded as the best in Europe.
The Iron Pillar in Delhi, India, found within the Qutb Minar complex, is a remarkable example of ancient Indian iron production. it is notable for its resistance to rust due to the unique composition of metals used in its construction. The Iron Pillar has garnered attention from archaeologists and materials scientists due to its impressive corrosion resistance. The Iron Pillar is seen as proof that ancient Indian iron craftsmen were very skilled at getting iron and making things from it. The resistance to corrosion is attributed to the formation of a protective layer of crystalline iron hydrogen phosphate hydrate on the iron, which is rich in phosphorus. This layer shields the pillar from the effects of the local climate in Delhi.
The Ashur Tribe's alliance with Mahishasur(Hudur Durga)
The legend of Mahishasura holds great importance in the
lives of the Ashur tribes, who have their own special traditions and cultural
heritage. According to mythology, Mahishasura is revered as a deity by the Asur
tribes and various other tribal communities. Mahishasura is considered the king
of the Asur tribe and other tribal communities.
Mahiashur (Hudur Durga): The Enigmatic Deity at the Heart of Ashur Tribe's Worship
The Asur community believes that Mahishasur (Hudur Durga) is depicted as a demon in Hindu mythology. According to the Asura community, Mahishasura is being worshiped by their ancestors from the ancient Harappa-Mohanjodaro civilization. This is why they continue to carry the surname 'Asur' to this day. In West Bengal, they annually observe the "Asur Utsab" or 'Mahisasur Swaran Sabha' (Assembly to commemorate Mahisasur) during the Durga Puja festival. Unfortunately, due to factors such as limited access to education and a tendency to isolate themselves from the outside world, the Asur community is now facing the threat of extinction (https://bit.ly/43hHA1d).
From the songs, mythological stories, and customs of the Asur tribe, it is evident that Mahishasur (Hudur Durga), also known as Bhaisasur in Hindu mythology, was a popular and powerful king among the indigenous people. Challenging him was difficult for the gods. It is believed that the gods cleverly sent a woman to defeat Mahishasura. The priests of the gods assured the woman that if she became a part of Mahishasur's trap and helped kill him, she would be worshipped for ages to come. It took the woman nine days and nine nights to defeat the tribal king Mahishasur (Hudur Durga), which is why the tradition of Navaratri began. Due to her victory over the tribal king Mahishasur (Hudur Durga), the woman was given the title of Durga. That's how the celebration of Durga Puja began. Durga idol is created when a handful of soil from the prostitute's courtyard is mixed with the clay used for making the idol. The priests prevented this entire incident from becoming known to the wider community (Mahishasur: Ek Jannayak by Pramod Ranjan)(https://bit.ly/44pZvnV) .
Conclusion
The Ashur Tribe in Jharkhand is an amazing example of ancient wisdom that still holds relevance today. They have shown the ability to adapt, practice sustainability, and preserve their cultural heritage, which is truly inspiring and can teach us valuable lessons. By recognizing and appreciating the Ashur Tribe's contributions, we can deepen our understanding of our shared humanity and work together toward a more sustainable and peaceful future.
Despite facing many challenges, the Ashur Tribe has shown incredible strength and resilience. The fast growth of cities, changes in the environment, and shifts in society have tested their traditional way of life. However, through their ability to adjust and come up with new ideas, the Ashur Tribe has not only survived but also thrived in the modern world.
Ashur Tribe, Jharkhand, Indigenous tribes, Cultural heritage, Rituals, Customs, Folklore, Legends, Craftsmanship, Preservation, Indigenous Communities, Chhou Dance, Harvest Festivals, Agrarian Traditions, Dokra Art, Nature Worship, Initiation Rites, Cultural Preservation, Indian Tribes
