Folklore of the Santal Parganas

This collection presents a variety of stories and legends from the Santal community, an indigenous tribe in India. The narratives encompass themes of animism, with spirits influencing daily life, and reflect the social structure and customs of the Santals. The tales include animal fables, moral anecdotes, and legends that illustrate the interactions between humans and bongas, or spirits. The work is a translation of stories originally recorded in the Santali language, preserving the cultural essence and traditional storytelling methods of the Santals. It also highlights the gradual decline of these oral traditions due to increased cultural assimilation.