ASUR
January, 2013
Steps –The way to Eutopia Society (এক
মুঠ ো মোটিঠকও পৃথিবী মঠে কথি)
(S/1L/92145 of 2012-2013)
 Asur is an important tribe in the state of Jharkhand in the eastern part of
the subcontinent of India. Asur in Jharkhand is one of the thirty major
tribes of people who have made the state of Jharkhand their home. The
people who belong to this tribe form quite a big part of the total population
of the state of Jharkhand.
 It
ranks 21st among all the 30 tribal groups of the state, in terms of
population, that is, there are as many as 9 tribal groups in the state that
have a smaller population than the Asur of Jharkhand. Asur is one of the
most ancient ethnic groups in the state of Jharkhand.
 According
to one source the total population of the tribal group of Asur is
7,783but they are not mentioned as a significant group in the census
highlights
for scheduled
tribes in
Jharkhand
Similarly,
they
are
an
insignificant group in West Bengal but Asurs were amongst the ProtoAustraloid groups inhabiting the western regions of West Bengal in prehistoric times.
 Asurs
have traditionally been iron-smelters. The modern Asur tribe is
divided into three sub-tribal divisions, namely Bir (Kol) Asur, Birjia Asur
and Agaria Asur. The Birjia are recognized as a separate schedule tribe.
 The Asur religion is a mixture of animism, animatism, naturalism and
ancestral worships. They also believe in black magic like bhut-pret (spirits)
and witchcraft. Their chief deity is Singbonga. Amongst the other deities are
Dharati Mata, Duari, Patdaraha and Turi Husid. They celebrate festivals
like Sarhul, Karma, Dhanbuni, Kadelta, Rajj karma, Dasahara Karam.
This tribes did the arduous jobs of iron smelting. At present few amongst
them has chosen other profession also. Some also have taken task of
producing
beautiful
metal
work.
Some
of
them
also
involve
in
agricultural cultivation, hunting and gathering of animals. After a brief
research done by the anthropologist it can be concluded the Asur’s are
divided into three sub group. Bir Asur, Birjia Asur, Agaria Asur.Music ,
Festival, Jovial Feast are main part of their daily life .
“Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole
existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of
setting man free from men.” -Ayn Rand
16, Napit Para Road. Rajpur, P.O. - Rajpur,
DIST. -24 PGS.(S), Kolkata—700149
E-MAIL ID - steps_we@yahoo.com
Phone No. - 9830367510, 7278959145
Website : www.steps-we.org