Tribes & Culture — Set 15
Jharkhand GK · जनजातियां और संस्कृति · Questions 141–150 of 160
The Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi has significance because of what historical event?
Correct Answer: B. Birsa Munda died here on June 9, 1900
The Birsa Munda Central Jail (formerly Ranchi Central Jail) is historically significant because Birsa Munda died here on June 9, 1900, while imprisoned by the British following the suppression of the Ulgulan movement. He was only 25 years old when he died, under mysterious circumstances that many historians attribute to British negligence or deliberate harm. The jail has been renamed in his honour.
Which art form of Jharkhand is done specifically during wedding season on mud walls?
Correct Answer: B. Khovar painting (wedding season)
Khovar painting is done on the inner walls of rooms specifically during the wedding season (Kho = bedroom, Var = bridegroom — wedding chamber painting). It features geometric patterns, honeycomb-like motifs, and stylised animal and human figures done in white and red on mud walls. Together with Sohrai, it has received UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition.
Which tribe of Jharkhand practices 'Gotra' (clan) exogamy, forbidding marriage within the same Gotra?
Correct Answer: C. Most major tribes of Jharkhand follow clan exogamy
Most major tribal communities of Jharkhand, including Munda, Santhal, Ho, and Oraon, practice some form of clan exogamy where marriage within the same clan (gotra, totem group, or kindred) is prohibited. This rule ensures genetic diversity and creates wider social networks through marriage alliances. The specific clan names and totems differ across tribes but the exogamy rule is nearly universal.
The Munda language belongs to which family and has how many speakers approximately?
Correct Answer: B. Austroasiatic (Munda branch), approximately 2 million
Mundari belongs to the Munda branch of the Austroasiatic language family and has approximately 2 million speakers primarily in Jharkhand. It is closely related to Ho and Santali languages. Mundari is written in the Devanagari script and has a growing body of modern literature including novels, poetry, and journalism.
What is the traditional 'bride price' system called in Munda culture?
Correct Answer: B. Gonong (payment of bride price by groom's family)
In Munda culture, the traditional marriage practice involves Gonong, a bride price paid by the groom's family to the bride's family (opposite of the dowry system). This practice recognises the value of women in tribal society. The bride price system is practiced across most tribal communities in Jharkhand, though practices are evolving in modernising communities.
Which Jharkhand tribal cultural figure is associated with Ranchi University and promotion of tribal music internationally?
Correct Answer: B. Ram Dayal Munda
Ram Dayal Munda (1939-2011) was a professor and Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University who became internationally renowned for his research on tribal music and culture. He performed tribal music at international forums and was a UNESCO consultant on tribal cultural heritage. His contributions to Mundari language, music, and tribal rights earned him the Padma Bhushan in 2010.
The Santhal name for their sacred grove where community worship happens is:
Correct Answer: A. Jaher (Jaher Ahan)
The Santhal sacred grove is called Jaher or Jaher Ahan (holy forest grove). It is the communal place of worship where the village deity (Manjhi Than) and forest deities are propitiated. The Jaher is strictly protected from any kind of human interference or felling of trees, as it is considered the most sacred space in a Santhal village.
Birsa Munda's movement Ulgulan of 1899-1900 targeted which groups?
Correct Answer: B. British forces, Christian missionaries, and diku (outsider) landlords
The Ulgulan movement of Birsa Munda had multiple targets: British colonial forces and their land policies, Christian missionaries who were converting Munda tribals, and diku (outsider) landlords and moneylenders who were exploiting tribal communities. The movement sought to establish a Munda Raj (tribal self-rule) free from all forms of external domination. It was one of the last major tribal uprisings before India's independence.
The Tusu festival songs (Tusu gaan) are traditionally sung by which group?
Correct Answer: C. Unmarried young women
Tusu gaan (Tusu songs) are traditionally sung by young unmarried women who create and care for the Tusu effigy throughout the month of Poush (December-January). The songs express the joys and sorrows of young women, their hopes, and their connection to the harvest cycle. On the day of Makar Sankranti, the effigy is immersed in a river and the young women bid farewell to Tusu.
The Jharkhand tribal welfare board 'Jharkhand Janajati Kalyan Samiti' primarily works for what?
Correct Answer: B. Educational scholarships and welfare of tribal communities
Tribal welfare bodies in Jharkhand work primarily for educational scholarships, residential schools (ashram schools), health services, and economic development of Scheduled Tribe communities. These organisations implement central and state government schemes for tribal welfare. Educational support is considered the most important intervention to uplift tribal communities in Jharkhand.