Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : 50
Sex Ratio Rank : 391
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : D
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 367(Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 526 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Challenges of the district : Our research with local communities
Migration is a major challenge we are facing. Day
by day the number of migrants is increasing. NGOs are not getting
funds and support from the government to curb this issue.
The quality of education is very depressing. In Dumka district only
around 25% people are literate. Women are denied education.
Unemployment is another grave issue we are battling.
Brief About Dumka District
The district of Dumka , in antiquity known as
'Damin-e-ko' was basically formed into an administrative district
by the Britishers to contain the warring Pahadiyas and the local
Ghatwal kings. In this process the Santhal Tribes were allowed
to infiltrate and settle in large number. After the partition
of Bengal, it also played a major role in the settlement of Bengali
population and thus a good number of Bengali speaking population
soon dominated the social and educational life. In the next phase
with the beginning of transport services and a bit of business
and educational institutions , a good number of Bhojpuri speaking
people made their way to Dumka. Thus the urban population basically
constituted of Bhojpuri and Bengali speaking people and the rural
sectors specially in the interiors remained dominated by the santhals
and the cast backward people. At the same time , people residing
on the hills known as Pahadiyas preferred to remain outside the
main stream. From the administrative point of view , Dumka become
a district way back in 1965 and later on the divisional head quarter
of Santhal Pargana in 1982.Till Dumka district consisted of Deoghar,
Godda, Sahebgunj,Pakur and Jamtara sub divisions, Dumka remained
in the hub of all administrative and Judicial activities. Thus
allowing a good number of floating population .But this number
of floating population decreased with the division of Santhal
Pargana district into 6 new districts viz. Deoghar,Godda,Pakur,
Sahebgunj, Jamtara and Dumka.
Profile Of Dumka
Dumka district is at 16" North latitude and 87 15" East longitude.
It is situated at the height of 472 ft from the sea level. It
The district has an area of 5518.3 sqrkm and consists of only
one subdivision namely Dumka. Under Dumka subdivision, there are
10 blocks namely Dumka, Gopikander, Jama, Jarmundi, Kathikund,
Maslia, Ramgarh, Raneshwar, Shikaripara and Saraiyahat.
PHISIOGRAPHY
Dumka has predominantly undulating terrain with hard rocks
in the underground. Entire district has a topography with high
ridges and valleys bounded by mountains and rivers. The fertility
of soil is poor due to extensive erosion, acidic character and
low retaining capacity.
People & Culture
As the geographical territory of Dumka had been a witness
to migration of people from different social and ethnic groups,
it is virtually a melting pot of cultural and linguistic amalgamation.
Linguistically, it inhabits people from Dravidian , Austric, and
Indo-European family of languages. The migration and the initial
settlement of variety of people and races gives a display of rare
balance and a mix of cultural heritage. A cursory look at the
people , their life style ,social and family values, and celebration
of festivals only reaffirm the truth that Dumka is virtually a
melting pot of a diverse cultural contact in the process of which
acculturation has also taken place. Its not only a matter of cultural
contact that Dumka has witnessed so far , but change in cultural
through contacts with more advanced culture (acculturation) has
also taken place specially among the Christian tribals. Though
among the present demographical cross-section ,Pahariyas and Ghatwals,
constitute the oldest group, they are more or less marginalize
groups or having very little social interaction, however they
still feel proud of their state at Gando . On the other hand ,unlike
the Pahariyas ,the other major ethnic group of the Santals are
more mixing and incline to modernization. In fact a sizable section
of the Santal population has demonstrated acculturation which
is easily noticeable in their life style. The very fact that visiting
churches every Sunday, baptisation of children and following the
christen way of life reflects a cultural heritage within the Santals
themselves of an alien presence in the cultural life of the Santals.
Culturally speaking the people in Dumka love festivities and calibrations
which is reflected in enthusiasm during Durga pooja ,Saraswati
Pooja,Holi,Dipawali, Chhath, Id, Moharrum and Christmas. Besides
the Satali and the Christen lifestyle ,the lifestyle and cultural
values of the Bangalis and of the Bhojpuri speaking people are
also very obvious. All these cultural varieties are best reflected
in their system of worship and marriage. This variety can be demonstrated
as follows :-
Local Festivals
1) Bandana or Sohorai : This festival is celebrated by the people
in the month of January to recall their ancient history and to
worship the cows.
2) Baha : This comes in between the month of Feb. and Mar. This
is a festival of flower and water. People celebrate this for merry
making and singing and dancing and drinking at Jaherthan (God's
Place.)
3)Erok Puja : This comes in between the month of Jun and July.
It is in the name of sacrifies of fowls and to celebrete sowing
time in the Jaherthan.
4) Janther Puja : This comes in between the month of Nov. to Dec..
This is mainly to celebrete the first fruits of winter rise crops.
5) Jomsin : This festival is celbreted in the honour of sun. This
not regularly observed . Santal clans : 1)Hansdak 2)Murmu 3)Kisku
4)Hembrom 5)Marandi 6) Soren
7) Tudu.
