Santals' Food Culture : A Continuous Review of Changes from the Past to the Present / সাঁওতালদের খাদ্য সংস্কৃতি : অতীত থেকে বর্তমান পরিবর্তনের একটি ধারাবাহিক পর্যালোচনা

Abstract

The Santal community, one of the largest indigenous groups in India, has a rich and distinctive food culture deeply intertwined with their agriculture, environment, and traditions. Historically, their diet primarily consisted of millets, rice, maize, wild tubers, foraged vegetables, and bush meat, with fermented foods such as hadiya (a rice-based alcoholic beverage) playing a significant role in social and religious ceremonies. Their food practices were sustainable, seasonal, and community-oriented, reflecting a profound understanding of the local ecosystem.

         However, modernization, economic shifts, deforestation, urbanization, and government policies have significantly altered traditional Santal dietary patterns. The decline of shifting cultivation, the expansion of cash crops, and increasing reliance on market-based food sources have led to nutritional transitions, often resulting in malnutrition and lifestyle-related diseases. Additionally, the influence of globalization and mass media has popularized processed foods, disrupting traditional dietary habits and weakening cultural identity.

         This study adopts an ethnographic approach, incorporating fieldwork, interviews with Santal elders, and an analysis of colonial records and anthropological literature to conduct a comparative historical review. A temporal analysis reveals how economic policies, climate change, and urban migration have transformed Santal food traditions.

         The preservation of Santal food culture is crucial for cultural sustainability, food security, and biodiversity conservation. Revitalizing indigenous food knowledge and ensuring the intergenerational transmission of culinary traditions can be achieved through community-driven initiatives, documentation of food practices, and supportive policy interventions.