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{{Use dmy dates|date= | {{Short description|Tribe from Odisha and Western Bengal, India}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date= | {{Distinguish|Sora people|Lodha people}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} | |||
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}} | |||
{{Infobox ethnic group | {{Infobox ethnic group | ||
| group = Sabara | | group = Sabara | ||
| image = | | image = | ||
| native_name = | | native_name = | ||
| native_name_lang = | | native_name_lang = | ||
| | | region = | ||
| region2 = [[ | <!-- ❌ Do not include figures for Odisha or Andhra Pradesh. They synonymously use the terms Savar/Sabar, but they are distinct ethnic groups. If you wish to include them, please SEEK CONSENSUS on the talk page FIRST. --> | ||
| region1 = [[West Bengal]] | |||
| pop1 = 40,374<ref name=Stat2013>{{Cite report |title=Statistical profile of scheduled tribes in India 2013 |url=http://www.tribal.nic.in/ST/StatisticalProfileofSTs2013.pdf |publisher=Minister of tribal affairs: statistics division, Govt of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522175435/https://tribal.nic.in/ST/StatisticalProfileofSTs2013.pdf |archive-date=22 May 2025}}</ref> | |||
| region2 = [[Jharkhand]] | |||
| pop2 = 9,688<ref name=Stat2013/> | |||
| region3 = [[Bangladesh]] | | region3 = [[Bangladesh]] | ||
| pop3 = 2,000 | | pop3 = 2,000 | ||
| languages = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] {{efn|name=1951census|According to 1961 Indian census, 91.8% Sabar returned their language as Bengali, while 8.1% as Munda<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Savar a Scheduled Tribe in West Bengal |others= Monograph Series, Part V-B (iv), Vol-I, West Bengal - Census 1961|first= B.K. |last=Roy|year=1970 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General, India |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/32384/download/35565/42925_1961_SAV.pdf|page=15}}</ref>}}<br />[[Munda languages|Munda]]{{efn|name=1951census}}<br/>[[Lodhi language|Lodhi]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Linguistic Survey of India West Bengal Part-1 |year=2011 |pages=460–490 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| religions = '''Majority'''<br/>[[Hinduism]] <br/>'''Minority'''{{hlist|[[Buddhism]] • [[Animism]] • [[Christianity]] • [[Islam]]}} | |||
| related = [[Munda people|Mundas]], [[Ho people|Ho]], [[Santhal people|Santhal]] and other [[Munda languages|Mundari speaking people]] | |||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Sabar people''' (also '''Shabar''' and '''Saora''') are a tribal community living mainly in southern [[West Bengal]] and [[Jharkhand]] in India. During the [[British Raj|colonial period]], they were classed as one of the 'criminal tribes' under [[Criminal Tribes Act]] 1871, and suffer from social stigma and [[ostracism]] in modern times.<ref>{{cite news |last1=D'Souza |first1=Dilip |date=16 October 1999 |title=Rediff On The NeT: Dilip D'Souza on the Sabar tribe |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/oct/16dilip.htm |work=Rediff |access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=D'Souza |first1=Dilip |date=10 June 1999 |title=Rediff On The NeT: Dilip D'Souza on the death of Budhan |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jun/10dilip.htm |work=Rediff |access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref> There are small communities of Sabar people in Bangladesh. | |||
{{ | Also known as Saora, the Sabar tribe finds mention in the Hindu epic [[Mahabharata]],<ref>''[http://www.bharatonline.com/orissa/tribes/index.html Orissa Tribes] ''bharatonline.com'.</ref> while in some parts of [[East Singhbhum district]] mainly in [[Musabani]], they are known as Kariya.<ref>[http://www.india9.com/i9show/Sabar-Tribe-73495.htm Sabar Tribe] ''india9.com''.</ref> Noted writer and activist [[Mahasweta Devi]] is known for working with these forest tribals.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main6.asp?filename=Ne090411Hazaar_Chaurasi.asp |title=Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Ma - Mahashweta Devi |work=[[Tehelka]] |date=11 September 2004 |archive-date=8 March 2012 |access-date=3 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308074958/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main6.asp?filename=Ne090411Hazaar_Chaurasi.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
This reclusive tribe is found primarily in parts of [[Jharkhand]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022757810300.htm |title=Sabar tribals go on 'Bharat Darshan' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103140144/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/27/stories/2008022757810300.htm |archive-date=3 November 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=27 February 2008| access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref> and in [[Midnapore District]] of [[West Bengal]].{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} | |||
==History== | |||
The traditionally forest-dwelling tribe lack experience in agriculture, and rely on the forests for their livelihood. In recent years, with the spread of the [[Naxalite]] rebellion in the area, the police often restrict their access to the forest. In 2004, five persons in the Sabar village of Amlasole, in [[Midnapore]] district, died after several months of starvation, | |||
<ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[India Today]]|url=http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/20040628/states2.html|title=Red Faced|date=28 June 2004|accessdate=17 October 2015|website=indiatoday.com|quote=Budhu Sabar, who lost his father Samay and sister Mongli earlier this year, has no doubt they starved to death. "My father had nothing but water for almost a fortnight before his death," says Budhu. "In the end he got fever and I watched him die without food."|archive-date=24 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124154045/http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/20040628/states2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> leading to a national media furore. Subsequently, Durbar Mahila Samanway Committee (DMSC) started a school in the area, funded partially by sex workers from [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/special-news-report/Special/Missing-mantris-Sex-workers-step-in/Article3-391166.aspx |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017134251/http://www.hindustantimes.com/special-news-report/Special/Missing-mantris-Sex-workers-step-in/Article3-391166.aspx |archivedate=17 October 2012 | title=Missing mantris: Sex workers step in | date=20 March 2009 | first=B Vijay | last=Murty | accessdate=8 November 2018 }}</ref> | |||
In June 2008, the Sabar suffered severe flooding in many of their West Bengal villages, and then received large amounts of aid from Catholic missionaries.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} | |||
Hundreds of Sabars migrated to present-day Bangladesh during the [[British Raj|colonial period]] to work as tea garden labourers. Today,{{When|date=September 2025|reason=in 2012?}} there are around 2000 of them residing in the northeastern district of [[Moulvibazar District|Moulvibazar]], in areas such as [[Kamalganj Upazila|Nandarani]], [[Sreemangal Upazila|Harinchhara and Rajghat]].<ref>{{cite Banglapedia|article=Shabar|author=Jengcham, Subhash}}</ref> | |||
In | In Gplot which is in [[Sundarbans]], under [[Patharpratima]] block which is in South 24 parganas it has been observed that there is presence of Sabars, who have migrated from Midnapore district of West Bengal. Currently{{When|date=September 2025}} there are 2500-3000 people of Sabar community residing there.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} | ||
==Language== | |||
==Note== | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
===Sources=== | |||
*{{Cite book|url=http://itdaplain.ap.gov.in/pdfViewer.jsp?pdf=1022&id=digital |title=Savara, The snake charmer |last=Roy |first=H.M. |publisher=Institute of social research and applied anthropology |location=Calcutta |year=1986}} | |||
*{{Cite book|title=The Savar a Scheduled Tribe in West Bengal |others= Monograph Series, Part V-B (iv), Vol-I, West Bengal - Census 1961|first= B.K. |last=Roy|year=1970 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General, India |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/32384/download/35565/42925_1961_SAV.pdf }} | |||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
| Line 41: | Line 52: | ||
* [http://www.countercurrents.org/devi121007.htm Hated, Humiliated, Butchered] by [[Mahasweta Devi]], ''[[Tehelka]]'', 12 October 2007 | * [http://www.countercurrents.org/devi121007.htm Hated, Humiliated, Butchered] by [[Mahasweta Devi]], ''[[Tehelka]]'', 12 October 2007 | ||
*[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6929049-the-why-why-girl?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=ZcZVKKxwGc&rank=1 The Why-Why Girl], by [[Mahasweta Devi]], illustrated by Kanyika Kini, Tulika Press, 2005. {{ISBN|9788181460189}}. | *[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6929049-the-why-why-girl?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=ZcZVKKxwGc&rank=1 The Why-Why Girl], by [[Mahasweta Devi]], illustrated by Kanyika Kini, Tulika Press, 2005. {{ISBN|9788181460189}}. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| Line 49: | Line 61: | ||
{{Ethnic groups in Bangladesh}} | {{Ethnic groups in Bangladesh}} | ||
{{authority control}} | {{authority control}} | ||
[[Category:Social groups of Odisha]] | [[Category:Social groups of Odisha]] | ||
[[Category:Social groups of West Bengal]] | [[Category:Social groups of West Bengal]] | ||
| Line 62: | Line 75: | ||
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Bangladesh]] | [[Category:Ethnic groups in Bangladesh]] | ||
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Odisha]] | [[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Odisha]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:54, 27 November 2025
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| West Bengal | 40,374[1] |
| Jharkhand | 9,688[1] |
| Bangladesh | 2,000 |
| Languages | |
| Bengali <
[lower-alpha 1] Lodhi[3] | |
| Religion | |
| Majority Hinduism Minority
| |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mundas, Ho, Santhal and other Mundari speaking people | |
The Sabar people (also Shabar and Saora) are a tribal community living mainly in southern West Bengal and Jharkhand in India. During the colonial period, they were classed as one of the 'criminal tribes' under Criminal Tribes Act 1871, and suffer from social stigma and ostracism in modern times.[4][5] There are small communities of Sabar people in Bangladesh.
Also known as Saora, the Sabar tribe finds mention in the Hindu epic Mahabharata,[6] while in some parts of East Singhbhum district mainly in Musabani, they are known as Kariya.[7] Noted writer and activist Mahasweta Devi is known for working with these forest tribals.[8]
This reclusive tribe is found primarily in parts of Jharkhand[9] and in Midnapore District of West Bengal.[citation needed]
History[edit | edit source]
The traditionally forest-dwelling tribe lack experience in agriculture, and rely on the forests for their livelihood. In recent years, with the spread of the Naxalite rebellion in the area, the police often restrict their access to the forest. In 2004, five persons in the Sabar village of Amlasole, in Midnapore district, died after several months of starvation, [10] leading to a national media furore. Subsequently, Durbar Mahila Samanway Committee (DMSC) started a school in the area, funded partially by sex workers from Kolkata.[11]
In June 2008, the Sabar suffered severe flooding in many of their West Bengal villages, and then received large amounts of aid from Catholic missionaries.[citation needed]
Hundreds of Sabars migrated to present-day Bangladesh during the colonial period to work as tea garden labourers. Today,[when?] there are around 2000 of them residing in the northeastern district of Moulvibazar, in areas such as Nandarani, Harinchhara and Rajghat.[12]
In Gplot which is in Sundarbans, under Patharpratima block which is in South 24 parganas it has been observed that there is presence of Sabars, who have migrated from Midnapore district of West Bengal. Currently[when?] there are 2500-3000 people of Sabar community residing there.[citation needed]
Language[edit | edit source]
Note[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Statistical profile of scheduled tribes in India 2013 (PDF) (Report). Minister of tribal affairs: statistics division, Govt of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 May 2025.
- ↑ Roy, B.K. (1970). The Savar a Scheduled Tribe in West Bengal (PDF). Monograph Series, Part V-B (iv), Vol-I, West Bengal - Census 1961. Office of the Registrar General, India. p. 15.
- ↑ Linguistic Survey of India West Bengal Part-1. 2011. pp. 460–490.
- ↑ D'Souza, Dilip (16 October 1999). "Rediff On The NeT: Dilip D'Souza on the Sabar tribe". Rediff. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ↑ D'Souza, Dilip (10 June 1999). "Rediff On The NeT: Dilip D'Souza on the death of Budhan". Rediff. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ↑ Orissa Tribes bharatonline.com'.
- ↑ Sabar Tribe india9.com.
- ↑ "Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Ma - Mahashweta Devi". Tehelka. 11 September 2004. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
- ↑ "Sabar tribals go on 'Bharat Darshan'". The Hindu. 27 February 2008. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ↑ "Red Faced". indiatoday.com. India Today. 28 June 2004. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
Budhu Sabar, who lost his father Samay and sister Mongli earlier this year, has no doubt they starved to death. "My father had nothing but water for almost a fortnight before his death," says Budhu. "In the end he got fever and I watched him die without food."
- ↑ Murty, B Vijay (20 March 2009). "Missing mantris: Sex workers step in". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ↑ Jengcham, Subhash (2012). "Shabar". In Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Roy, H.M. (1986). Savara, The snake charmer. Calcutta: Institute of social research and applied anthropology.
- Roy, B.K. (1970). The Savar a Scheduled Tribe in West Bengal (PDF). Monograph Series, Part V-B (iv), Vol-I, West Bengal - Census 1961. Office of the Registrar General, India.
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- The Book of the Hunter, by Mahasweta Devi, translated by Sagaree and Mandira Sengupta, Seagull, 2002. ISBN 81-7046-204-5.
- Hated, Humiliated, Butchered by Mahasweta Devi, Tehelka, 12 October 2007
- The Why-Why Girl, by Mahasweta Devi, illustrated by Kanyika Kini, Tulika Press, 2005. ISBN 9788181460189.