Local Memories from Yesterday: Memoirs of ‘Sohrae’ in Folklore

This study centers on the translated Santhali folktales, serving as a guiding principle for younger Santhal who carry the shared memories of their cultural heritage. The folksongs revolving around their famous festival ‘Sohrae’ which is significantly customary and marks the summit of married sisters with their brothers, it is also a ‘thanksgiving festival’ for their draught animals for their contribution in farming. The third story behind the celebration of Sohrae is in ‘remembrance’ of the eldest maiden sister who was promised ‘memory’ by her younger sisters every year. The folksongs show the earlier memories of the same events as a re-establishment of the cultural memory and identity as an act of perseverance for tradition. The study will discuss the five day ‘Sohrae’ festival as reliving the memory of the past traditions and culture, and again creating a recurring memory of the same and the reasons for its sustenance. This paper will only discuss folklores that signify their celebration in the Santhal Pargana, Jharkhand, India and not in the parts of Bengal and Orissa, because in the Santhal Pargana it is celebrated in January whereas in the other parts it is celebrated around October or November and because the Santhals are a dominant tribe in Jharkhand (Santhal Pargana). Since the geographies are different the customs might differ in a way or other because of ‘local culture’ influence.