Sarnaism

E592565

Sarnaism is the indigenous animistic faith of the Santhal and other Adivasi communities of eastern India, centered on nature worship, sacred groves, and ancestral spirits.

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Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf animistic faith
indigenous religion
nature worship tradition
associatedWithDeity Dharti Aayo NERFINISHED
Marang Buru NERFINISHED
village tutelary deities
coreBelief belief in village guardian spirits
communal rituals tied to agricultural cycles
reverence for nature
veneration of sacred groves
worship of ancestral spirits
cosmologyElement ancestors as active members of the community
multiple spirits inhabiting natural features
distinctFrom Christianity NERFINISHED
Hinduism NERFINISHED
Islam NERFINISHED
festivalType harvest festivals
sowing and planting rituals
follows animism
geographicRegion Assam (Adivasi areas) NERFINISHED
Bihar NERFINISHED
Chhattisgarh NERFINISHED
Jharkhand NERFINISHED
Odisha NERFINISHED
West Bengal NERFINISHED
hasSacredPlaceType Sarna sthal NERFINISHED
sacred grove
languageContext often practiced by speakers of Kurukh
often practiced by speakers of Mundari
often practiced by speakers of Santali
politicalAspect linked to Adivasi rights and land struggles
subject of recognition demands in Indian census
practicedBy Ho people NERFINISHED
Munda people NERFINISHED
Oraon people NERFINISHED
Santhal people NERFINISHED
other Adivasi communities of eastern India
ritualElement animal sacrifice in some communities
collective feasts
offerings to spirits and ancestors
seasonal festivals
scriptureStatus no single canonical scripture
socialRole basis of customary law in some Adivasi communities
marker of Adivasi cultural identity
transmission oral tradition
viewOnForest forests and groves protected as sacred spaces
viewOnNature nature regarded as sacred and alive
worshipForm community-based rituals rather than individual worship

Referenced by (8)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Bhumij religion Sarnaism
Kurukh people religion Sarnaism
Munda religion Sarnaism
Munda peoples religion Sarnaism
Oraon religion Sarnaism
Santhal religion Sarnaism
Ho traditionalReligion Sarnaism