Festivals of the Lodhas of South-West Bengal: A Historical and Ethnographic Perspective

Abstract

The Lodhas, recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), represent one of the most marginalized tribal communities in India. Concentrated mainly in the south-western region of West Bengal, especially in Paschim Medinipur district, the Lodhas retain a rich corpus of ritual traditions closely associated with forest ecology, agriculture, disease control, and ancestral belief systems. This paper examines the major festivals of the Lodhas from a historical and ethnographic standpoint, emphasizing their religious significance, socio-economic functions, and cultural resilience. Based primarily on secondary sources, census reports, and classical anthropological studies, the article argues that Lodha festivals serve as crucial instruments for social cohesion, ecological adaptation, and cultural continuity amidst increasing socio-economic transformation.