Sohrai The Harvesting Festival Of Santhals

Sohrai Harvesting Festival

Sohrai ( ᱥᱚᱦᱨᱟᱤ ᱯᱟᱨᱟᱵ ) is the principal and the most important public event of the Santals; it is also the largest of the festivals. Sohrai is usually celebrated in the month of Pous (December-January) when the paddy has been reaped, thrashed and stored.

During the Sohrai the village spirits and the ancestor spirits are worshipped and thanked; the rituals include sacrificing of fowls.

Sohrai Harvesting Festival Of Santhals House Art Painting

Sohrai celebrations usually continue for six days - each day having special activities. The important and the usual components of Sohrai festival include blessing and baiting of cattle (gai-dangra sunum ojok'ar charhao) fishing expedition (hako-katkom) and a village hunt (Sendra).

Sohrai is the biggest annual event for the Santals to relax and enjoy. During this period the married daughters return to their houses and relatives from other villages also come with gifts. It is the biggest community celebration during which the whole community eat and drink, dance and sing and make merry.

This is the occasion for the great communion whereby the whole villagers with their relatives along with the ancestors and the spirits come together to join in the merriest of festivities.

Santhali Sohrai Harvesting Festival Of Santhals Portrait