Lohra (tribe)
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 India | |
| Jharkhand | 216,226 (2011 Census)[1] |
| Languages | |
| Nagpuri, Mundari | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Lohar, Asur | |
Lohra is a community found in Jharkhand. They are traditionally associated with works of iron smelting.[1][2]
History
Histrorians have no idea from which period the Lohra are residing in Chotanagpur plateau. There is also no oral or folklore about the origin of Lohra.[2]
The use of iron tool and pottery spread in the Chotanagpur region during 1400 to 800 BCE according to carbon dating of iron slag, sickle and wheel made pottery which was found in Barudih of Singhbhum district.[3] According to carbon dating, Iron celt was dated to 1200 BCE.[4]
According to Herbert Hope Risley, Lohra is the same as Asura and Lohar, which were iron smelters.[5]
Distribution
They are mainly distributed in the state of Jharkhand in district of Ranchi, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Palamu, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Giridih district. There population in Jharkhand is 2,16,226.[1][6]
Subgroups
Loharas are divided into two subgroups i.e Kanujia Lohra, who are migrants from Bihar, and the indigenous Kol Lohra or Nagpuria Lohra. The Nagpuria Lohra are further divided into two groups i.e Sad Kamar and Lohra. Sad Kamar have abandoned their occupation and do farming. Sad Kamar still speaks Mundari and eats only fowl and goat. Lohra follows very few restrictions on foods and eat carcasses of dead animals. Lohra are distributed all over South Bihar. The Sad Kamar live in the Pach Pargana area. The Lohra speak Sadri and Mundari.[7]
Culture
Their traditional occupation is smelting iron and making agricultural and household equipment of iron. They make sickle, axes, arrow heads and Plowshares.[7] They speak Sadani or Nagpuri.[1][8] They have clans such as Sath, Son (Son river), Magahia, Tutli, Kachhua (turtle), Dhan (rice), Tirkey (a bird) etc. In marriage, the bride price is prevalent. Their festivals are Sarhul, Karam, Sohrai, Fagua.[1]
Official Classification
In 1936, during the British period, the Lohar of Chotanagpur were listed as a Backward tribe. During the British Period, those who were dipressed class were included in the list of Scheduled Caste and those who were following tribal religion or not following Brahminism were included in Backward tribes for political representation.[9] Lohra are included in Scheduled Tribe in Jharkhand.[1][10]
References
- ^ a b c d e f MANISH RANJAN (2022). Jharkhand General Knowledge 2022. Prabhat Prakashan. p. 18. ISBN 978-9354883002.
- ^ a b "Lohara". Jharkhandculture. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Education India. p. 225. ISBN 9788131711200. Retrieved 30 October 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ Jyoti Bhusan Das Gupta (2007). Science, Technology, Imperialism, and War. Pearson Education India. p. 268. ISBN 978-8131708514.
- ^ "Lohra". indpaedia. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ JHARKHAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PRELIMS EXAMS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE PAPER. Manish Ranjan. 2021. ISBN 978-9390906321.
- ^ a b Pranab Chandra Roy Choudhury (1970). Bihar District Gazetteers, Volume 12; Volume 16. Superintendant, Secretariat Press, Bihar. p. 126.
- ^ "Language: जो भाषा बोली ही नहीं जाती, वह भी है पंजीकृत; सरकार को इन भाषाओं को लेकर है भ्रम". jagran. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ "Government of India 1935 (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1936" (PDF). 30 April 1936. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ "रांची में आदिवासी लोहरा समाज के केंद्रीय समिति की बैठक, आप भी जानें किन-किन मुद्दों पर हुई चर्चा". etvbharat. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2022.