Stepping into a Santal ritual feels like slipping through a hidden door into a world where every tree, river and drumbeat carries a message. Dawn often heralds the gathering at the Jaher (sacred grove), a patch of forest set aside as a living temple. Men and women arrive in vibrant dhotis and sarees, bearing offerings—bowls of rice, seasonal fruits, homemade liquor, and sometimes a sacrifice (goat or pigeon) to honor the spirits that dwell all around.

At the heart of the ceremony stands the Pahan or Naike (priest), clad in a red-bordered cloth, chanting invocations to Sing-Bonga (the supreme creator) and Marang Buru (the great mountain spirit). Rhythmic drumming on the tama and nagara drums picks up the pace, weaving a sonic embrace that sends heartfelt vibrations through the soil and into every dancer’s bones. It isn’t just music—it’s the pulse of the community, calling ancestors and nature’s guardians to join the celebration.

Songs—often in call-and-response style—flow freely, each verse praising the earth’s bounty or beseeching blessings for health and good harvests. Movements swirl from gentle swaying to vigorous hops, echoing the cycle of sowing, growth, and reaping. Watching the Jan dance beneath towering sal trees, it’s easy to understand why festivals like Sohrai (post-monsoon cattle festival) and Karam (celebrating the Karam tree’s spirit) remain cornerstones of Santal life.

Even in recent times, when COVID restrictions dampened public gatherings, younger generations adapted by sharing ritual snippets on social media—TikTok reels of drum solos or snippets of Baha songs during informal community prayers. Now, as more Santal troupes tour Indian folk festivals from Kolkata to Delhi, these ancient ceremonies are gaining fresh audiences, reminding everyone that tribal animism isn’t a relic but a living, breathing tradition.

Each ritual weaves people, nature and the unseen into a single tapestry. It’s more than ceremony; it’s a heartfelt dialogue with the world, stitched together by rhythm, reverence and a deep sense of belonging.