| Voice of Dumka District
: Mirtunjay Singh
Migration is a major challenge we are facing. Day by day the number
of migrants is increasing. NGOs are not getting funds and support
from the government to curb this issue.
The quality of education is very depressing. In Dumka district only
around 25% people are literate. Women are denied education.
Unemployment is another grave issue we are battling.
Dumka District
Area, Population & Sex Ratio
Geographical Area : 6212.0 Km2 P
Population in Dumka (Census 2011)
Total Population
Total : 1321096
Male : 669240
Female : 651856
Disabled population
Total disabled population : 25555
In seeing : 8659
In speech : 3012
In hearing : 1934
In movement : 8758
Mental : 3192
Rank ( VoiceOfBharat.org Analysis
)
Backwardness : 50
Sex Ratio Rank : 391
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : D
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 367(Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 526 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Brief About Dumka District
The district of Dumka , in antiquity known as 'Damin-e-ko'
was basically formed into an administrative district by the Britishers
to contain the warring Pahadiyas and the local Ghatwal kings. In
this process the Santhal Tribes were allowed to infiltrate and settle
in large number. After the partition of Bengal, it also played a
major role in the settlement of Bengali population and thus a good
number of Bengali speaking population soon dominated the social
and educational life. In the next phase with the beginning of transport
services and a bit of business and educational institutions , a
good number of Bhojpuri speaking people made their way to Dumka.
Thus the urban population basically constituted of Bhojpuri and
Bengali speaking people and the rural sectors specially in the interiors
remained dominated by the santhals and the cast backward people.
At the same time , people residing on the hills known as Pahadiyas
preferred to remain outside the main stream. From the administrative
point of view , Dumka become a district way back in 1965 and later
on the divisional head quarter of Santhal Pargana in 1982.Till Dumka
district consisted of Deoghar, Godda, Sahebgunj,Pakur and Jamtara
sub divisions, Dumka remained in the hub of all administrative and
Judicial activities. Thus allowing a good number of floating population
.But this number of floating population decreased with the division
of Santhal Pargana district into 6 new districts viz. Deoghar,Godda,Pakur,
Sahebgunj, Jamtara and Dumka.
Profile Of Dumka
Dumka district is at 16" North latitude and 87 15" East longitude.
It is situated at the height of 472 ft from the sea level. It The
district has an area of 5518.3 sqrkm and consists of only one subdivision
namely Dumka. Under Dumka subdivision, there are 10 blocks namely
Dumka, Gopikander, Jama, Jarmundi, Kathikund, Maslia, Ramgarh, Raneshwar,
Shikaripara and Saraiyahat.
PHISIOGRAPHY
Dumka has predominantly undulating terrain with hard rocks in
the underground. Entire district has a topography with high ridges
and valleys bounded by mountains and rivers. The fertility of soil
is poor due to extensive erosion, acidic character and low retaining
capacity.
People & Culture
As the geographical territory of Dumka had been a witness to
migration of people from different social and ethnic groups, it
is virtually a melting pot of cultural and linguistic amalgamation.
Linguistically, it inhabits people from Dravidian , Austric, and
Indo-European family of languages. The migration and the initial
settlement of variety of people and races gives a display of rare
balance and a mix of cultural heritage. A cursory look at the people
, their life style ,social and family values, and celebration of
festivals only reaffirm the truth that Dumka is virtually a melting
pot of a diverse cultural contact in the process of which acculturation
has also taken place. Its not only a matter of cultural contact
that Dumka has witnessed so far , but change in cultural through
contacts with more advanced culture (acculturation) has also taken
place specially among the Christian tribals. Though among the present
demographical cross-section ,Pahariyas and Ghatwals, constitute
the oldest group, they are more or less marginalize groups or having
very little social interaction, however they still feel proud of
their state at Gando . On the other hand ,unlike the Pahariyas ,the
other major ethnic group of the Santals are more mixing and incline
to modernization. In fact a sizable section of the Santal population
has demonstrated acculturation which is easily noticeable in their
life style. The very fact that visiting churches every Sunday, baptisation
of children and following the christen way of life reflects a cultural
heritage within the Santals themselves of an alien presence in the
cultural life of the Santals. Culturally speaking the people in
Dumka love festivities and calibrations which is reflected in enthusiasm
during Durga pooja ,Saraswati Pooja,Holi,Dipawali, Chhath, Id, Moharrum
and Christmas. Besides the Satali and the Christen lifestyle ,the
lifestyle and cultural values of the Bangalis and of the Bhojpuri
speaking people are also very obvious. All these cultural varieties
are best reflected in their system of worship and marriage. This
variety can be demonstrated as follows :-
Local Festivals:
1) Bandana or Sohorai : This festival is celebrated by the people
in the month of January to recall their ancient history and to worship
the cows.
2) Baha : This comes in between the month of Feb. and Mar. This
is a festival of flower and water. People celebrate this for merry
making and singing and dancing and drinking at Jaherthan (God's
Place.)
3)Erok Puja : This comes in between the month of Jun and July. It
is in the name of sacrifies of fowls and to celebrete sowing time
in the Jaherthan.
4) Janther Puja : This comes in between the month of Nov. to Dec..
This is mainly to celebrete the first fruits of winter rise crops.
5) Jomsin : This festival is celbreted in the honour of sun. This
not regularly observed . Santal clans : 1)Hansdak 2)Murmu 3)Kisku
4)Hembrom 5)Marandi 6) Soren
7) Tudu.
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