Traditional Symbol of communications among santal

TRADITIONAL_SYMBOL_OF_COMMUNICATION_AMONG_THE_SANTALS

       SARJOM DARE(SAL TREE) and
KARAM(ADINA CORDIFOLIA) are
most vererated by Santal. "SARJOM
DA.R" sal twing is the symbol of
JUSTICE to the santal. "SARJOM
GIRA." was done during the santal
Rebllion in 1855-56 Through
carrying this 'Gira.' from one region
to the other the santal were informed
of the message of assemblage at
Bhagnadihi under their leader and
the villagers at once decoded the
message and assembled. The
decision of of 'SARJOM GIRA.'is taken by the village council with
'MAJHI HARAM' at its head.

    'SARJOM GIRA.' is done during
'BITLAHA' (social ostracism) if the
culprit does not recognize his guilt
and does not beg pardon before the
village council. The ostracism take
place by the order of the village
council . It is resorted to when a
santal woman induges in any
physical relationship either with a
man of the same sept or with a non
santal. The santal strictly follow
sept exogamy. If it is proved then
the village council gives the order
of outcust. The order is normally
carried the day after annual hunting.
A man carrying a branch of of sal
tree with leaves in the market
announces the date of 'bitlaha' .
Man in the market on seeing him
understand the matter and count the
leaves that indicate the number of
days. A sal twig is also placed in
the in the court yard of the person ostracized to to communicate that
the family is debarred from
establishing any social relationship
with the santal community.