Lohra (tribe)

Lohra is a community found in Jharkhand. They are traditionally associated with works of iron smelting.[1][2]

Lohra
Regions with significant populations
 India
Jharkhand216,226 (2011 Census)[1]
Languages
Nagpuri, Mundari
Related ethnic groups
Lohar, Asur

History

Historians have no idea from which period the Lohra are residing in Chota-nagpur 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]

Distribution

They are mainly distributed in the state of Jharkhand in district of Ranchi, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Palamu, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Giridih district. Their population in Jharkhand is 2,16,226.[1][5]

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.[6]

Culture

Their traditional occupation is smelting iron and making agricultural and household equipment of iron. They make sickle, axes, arrow heads and Plowshares.[6] They speak Sadani or Nagpuri.[1][7]

Clans

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

Lohra are included in Scheduled Tribe in Jharkhand.[1][8]

References
  1. MANISH RANJAN (2022). Jharkhand General Knowledge 2022. Prabhat Prakashan. p. 18. ISBN 978-9354883002.
  2. "Lohara". Jharkhandculture. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  3. 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.
  4. Jyoti Bhusan Das Gupta (2007). Science, Technology, Imperialism, and War. Pearson Education India. p. 268. ISBN 978-8131708514.
  5. JHARKHAND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PRELIMS EXAMS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE PAPER. Manish Ranjan. 2021. ISBN 978-9390906321.
  6. Pranab Chandra Roy Choudhury (1970). Bihar District Gazetteers, Volume 12; Volume 16. Superintendent, Secretariat Press, Bihar. p. 126.
  7. "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.
  8. "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.
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