Book

The hill of flutes: life, love, and poetry in tribal India : a portrait of the Santals

University of Pittsburgh PressPittsburgh • Published In 1974 • Pages:

By: Archer, W. G. (William George).

Abstract
This book presents a wide variety of ethnographic topics dealing with the Santals of the Santal Parganas District, Bihar, India, during the period of 1942-1946 while the author was serving as Deputy Commissioner of the district. The study deviates somewhat from traditional monographs in that it does not deal with the material culture aspects or modes of production of the people, nor does it provide information on the range and dimensions of culture contact. The overall focus of this work is on certain aspects of Santal life such as life-cycle ceremonies and festivals, sex, and love. The study begins with a description of the ideal village, the clan system, and the world of spirits (BONGAS), followed by a portrayal of life-cycle events (birth, childhood, adolescence, and death), social dances, marriage and fertility, sorcery, religion, and the annual hunt. Special emphasis in the document is on Santal poetry and songs found interspersed throughout the text, many of which are highly erotic in nature.
Subjects
Hunting and trapping
Music
Dance
Literary texts
Marriage
Sorcery
Mourning
Mythology
Organized ceremonial
Sexuality
Sexual stimulation
Premarital sex relations
Abortion and infanticide
culture
Santal
HRAF PubDate
1998
Region
Asia
Sub Region
South Asia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Government Official
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1996
Field Date
1942-1946
Coverage Date
1942-1946
Coverage Place
Santal Parganas District, Bihar, India
Notes
W. G. Archer
Includes bibliographical references (p. 354-358) and indexes
LCCN
73013311
LCSH
Santal (South Asian people)