INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue XI November 2025
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Spiritual Ecology in Tribal Beliefs: A Study of the Tribes of Purulia
1Rajesh Dan, 2Dr. Rajesh Kumar
1State Aided College Teacher, M.G. College Lalpur & Research Scholar of B.B.M.K. University,
Department of Philosophy.
2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Philosophy. B.B.M.K. University, Dhanbad
ABSTRACT
The present study explores the intersection of spirituality and ecology within the indigenous belief systems of
the tribal communities of Purulia district, West Bengal. Spiritual ecology, as expressed in the rituals, myths, and
sacred landscapes of tribal life, reflects a holistic worldview where nature and divinity coexist inseparably. The
research highlights how ecological awareness is embedded in traditional religion, manifested through the
worship of sacred groves, rivers, animals, and spirits that guard forests and lands. The study draws upon field
observations and ethnographic literature to understand how these spiritual-ecological relationships contribute to
environmental conservation, social harmony, and cultural continuity. Findings suggest that tribal ecological
consciousness represents an indigenous form of sustainable living that integrates reverence, reciprocity, and
responsibility toward nature.
Key Words: Tribal, Spiritual Ecology, Tribal Belief System, Sacred Groves, Eco-centrism.
INTRODUCTION
Spiritual ecology represents a contemporary interdisciplinary approach linking religion, culture, and
environmental consciousness. Among indigenous communities, ecological practices are not derived from
modern science but are woven into sacred cosmologies and rituals. In India, tribal societies—particularly in
regions like Purulia—exemplify such integration, where the natural environment is perceived as a living entity
infused with divine presence.
The tribes of Purulia, such as the "Santhal, Munda, Bhumij, Kurmi, and Ho", possess belief systems that merge
the spiritual with the ecological. Their worldview situates human beings as part of a cosmic continuum where
forests, rivers, hills, and animals are sacred. Rituals like 'Jaher Era Puja', 'Sarhul', 'Baha', and 'Karam' embody
their gratitude to nature. The study of spiritual ecology within these beliefs helps reveal how indigenous
traditions foster ecological balance without the intervention of formal environmental policies.
In an era of ecological degradation and climate anxiety, the indigenous wisdom of Purulia’s tribes holds profound
lessons on coexistence and sustainability. Exploring this domain contributes not only to cultural anthropology
but also to environmental ethics and policy development.
Objectives of the Study
1. To explore the spiritual dimensions of ecological consciousness in the tribal beliefs of Purulia.
2. To identify the rituals, myths, and symbols that reflect ecological values within tribal cosmology.
3. To analyze how these spiritual practices contribute to environmental conservation and community
sustainability.
4. To interpret the relevance of tribal spiritual ecology in the context of modern ecological thought.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Scholarly discourse on "spiritual ecology" has expanded over the past two decades. Sponsel (2012) defines it
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue XI November 2025
Page 1337
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as the study of “the spiritual and religious dimensions of human relationships with nature.” Kinsley (1995)
emphasized that indigenous spiritualities encode ecological ethics through myth and ritual rather than written
doctrine.
In the Indian context, Gadgil and Guha (1993) argued that traditional ecological knowledge is deeply tied to
ritual practices, taboos, and sacred landscapes. Recent works by Baviskar (2019) and Deb (2021) further
highlighted the ecological wisdom of indigenous communities in eastern India.
Specific to West Bengal, researchers such as Mahato (2017) and Hansda (2020) have documented the "Sarhul
and Karam festivals" of Purulia as ecological events celebrating seasonal cycles and fertility. The concept of the
'sacred grove' (Jaherthan)—a forest patch protected for ritual purposes—illustrates how spiritual reverence
ensures biodiversity conservation (Chakraborty, 2022).
However, the term “spiritual ecology” has rarely been applied explicitly to the tribal context of Purulia, which
makes the present study a significant contribution to bridging local ethnography and global eco-spiritual
discourse.
Definition of Key Terms
➢ Spiritual Ecology: The interrelationship between religious belief and ecological practice, where
spirituality guides environmental stewardship.
➢ Tribal Belief System: A traditional framework of values, myths, and rituals that govern social and
ecological behavior among indigenous communities.
➢ Sacred Groves: Protected patches of forest preserved for ritual and spiritual purposes, symbolizing the
living presence of deities.
➢ Eco-centrism: A worldview that places nature at the center of moral and spiritual concern, recognizing
the intrinsic value of all living beings.
METHODOLOGY
Area of Study
The research focuses on selected tribal-dominated blocks of "Purulia District", namely Bandwan, Balarampur,
and Bagmundi, where Santhal, Munda, and Bhumij populations are concentrated.
Sample and Data
Ethnographic observations and secondary data from cultural reports, census documents, and academic sources
were used. Interviews with local elders and ritual practitioners (Ojha, Pahan) were conducted to collect oral
narratives about ecological beliefs.
Tools
A semi-structured interview schedule, field notes, and photographic documentation were used to record practices
related to forest worship, water rituals, and agricultural festivals.
Variables
The study examined (a) belief structures, (b) ecological symbols, (c) ritual practices, and (d) conservation
behavior.
Methods
Qualitative ethnographic analysis, narrative interpretation, and symbolic ecology approaches were applied to
understand the interlinkage between spirituality and ecology in tribal life.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue XI November 2025
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The findings indicate that Purulia’s tribal communities maintain a deep spiritual connection with their
environment, manifesting through ritual, taboo, and myth. Nature is perceived as sentient — trees, rivers, hills,
and animals embody spiritual essence.
1. Sacred Ecology in Rituals:
Rituals such as "Sarhul" (worship of the Sal tree and forest spirits) and "Baha Parab" (flower festival) mark
seasonal renewal and fertility. During "Sarhul", no tree felling or hunting is permitted, reflecting ecological
restraint.
2. Mythic Symbols and Conservation:
Myths surrounding forest deities (Jaher Era or Marang Buru) convey moral lessons about harmony with nature.
Such narratives promote biodiversity protection by transforming ecological ethics into sacred duty.
3. Gender and Spiritual Ecology:
Women’s participation in rituals symbolizes fertility and care for the earth. The feminine principle (Dharti Mai)
represents the nurturing aspect of ecology, integrating social and spiritual balance.
4. Environmental Ethics and Sustainability:
Tribal spirituality encodes environmental ethics without formal laws. Practices like protecting sacred groves
function as community-based conservation models. These traditional institutions, though non-scientific in form,
have sustained ecological balance for generations.
5. Challenges in the Modern Context:
Urbanization, mining, and cultural erosion threaten these ecological traditions. Yet, revival movements and
cultural festivals supported by NGOs and local administrations indicate renewed interest in indigenous
ecological wisdom.
Overall, the results show that spiritual ecology among Purulia’s tribes operates as a moral and cultural system
that ensures environmental sustainability through sacred obligation rather than external regulation.
CONCLUSION
The study concludes that tribal spirituality in Purulia is inherently ecological. The worldview of the Santhal,
Munda, and Bhumij communities exemplifies a harmonious human–nature relationship grounded in reverence
and reciprocity. Their belief systems serve as living models of environmental sustainability, far preceding
contemporary ecological theories.
Preserving these traditions is essential not only for cultural diversity but also for global environmental ethics.
Integrating indigenous ecological wisdom into modern education and policy frameworks could promote a more
holistic approach to sustainability rooted in spirituality and respect for nature.
REFERENCES
1. Baviskar, A. (2019). In the Belly of the River: Tribal Conflicts over Development in India. Oxford
University Press.
2. Chakraborty, S. (2022). Sacred groves and indigenous conservation in Eastern India. Indian Journal
of Environmental Studies, 14(2), 77–89.
3. Deb, D. (2021). The Living Worldview: Indigenous Ecology and Sustainability in India. Routledge.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue XI November 2025
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4. Gadgil, M.,&Guha, R. (1993). This Fissured Land: An Ecological History of India. Oxford
University Press.
5. Hansda, P. (2020). Ritual ecology among the Santhals of West Bengal. Tribal Research Bulletin,
42(1), 33–45.
6. Kinsley, D. (1995). Ecology and Religion: Ecological Spirituality in Cross-Cultural Perspective.
Prentice Hall.
7. Mahato, S. (2017). Folk environmentalism in the Sarhul Festival of Purulia. Man and Environment,
42(2), 95–104.
8. Sponsel, L. (2012). Spiritual Ecology: A Quiet Revolution. Praeger.
