TOTEMS OF THE TRIBES OF CHOTA NAGPUR AN ETHNOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The paper intends to highlight the relationship between the language of major tribes of Chota Nagpur plateau and their cultural identity through the analysis of totems. Mũṇḍa, Ho, Khaṛia, and Kũṛux are the major tribes of the Austroasiatic and the Dravidian groups. The classification of totems is based on the names of animals, birds, fish, aquatic creatures, snakes, ants, trees and fruits, fauna and flora, etc., which are associated with social and spiritual suppositions. The importance of nature in the lives of these tribes is manifested through their treatment to the objects of nature. Linguistic terms used for the totems indicate the changing linguistic landscape because of the regular contact between the speakers of different tribes and non-tribes.