Review of History and Political Science

Christian Missionaries’ Accounts and Interpretations on Santal Tribe: A Groundwork for Santali Grammar and Literature Development- A Historical Review
Joseph Hansda

Abstract
The history of Santal tribe had neither any recorded history nor any number of written literatures. The Santal tribe was of opinion “puṭhireakkhon, thuṭireaksorosa” (the memory is superior to the book) and as the matter of fact, they tried to pass and retain the oral tradition to the generation to generation. There was a huge need to record the oral tradition of the Santal tribe. This noble work was marvelously carried out by the Christian missionaries initially. Undeniably, Christian missionaries‟ contributions and their keen interest to the Santal mythologies, legends, folk tales, songs, witchcraft, medicines, and daily life of Santals remain the foundation of Santali language and literature.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/rhps.v11a6