The Manjhi Santals of Hazaribagh

"The Manjhi Santals of Hazaribagh" is a scholarly book that explores the unique culture and traditions of the Manjhi, a forest community of the Santals on the Hazaribagh plateau. The Manjhi are an agricultural people who also engage in hunting practices and live amidst fertile agricultural settlements. This book places special emphasis on their way of life, particularly their hunting methods and the annual ceremony of Deson Sendra, which has not been documented before. The author, Bulu Imam, shares his observations and experiences from over four decades, including the collection of songs and ethnological practices of the Manjhi. The work highlights the challenges faced by this community, particularly the loss of their ancestral place in the environment due to the influence of external interests and the impacts of development on their way of life and resources.