Individual to Community OR Community to Individual? A Question of Sociological Significance of ‘Baha Bonga’ of Santal Tribe of Odisha

In contemporary world, the rituals/festivals of a community/tribe celebrated not just for entertainment. This contrast with the identity of individual and community to be part of the larger society because of the risk of disappearance. The Santals are one among sizeable population of the country observing different religious rituals time to time to show the integrity among the individuals being part of the society. In a way dysfunctional features of religion in a multi-religious society have been questioned by social scientists. This paper highlights one of the religious rituals called “Baha Bonga” considerably one of the important reflections of Santal Identity, celebrated in two different set up (in a village and in an institution). The paper not only questions the individualist society but also shows the sociological significance collectiveness in the domain of modernization.