The Munda tribe (also known as the Mura tribe) is one of India’s largest tribes, comprising an estimated 2 million people. Located in the northeast of India, the tribe shares many attributes with neighboring tribes, but also has many unique cultural characteristics, such as their practice of dividing their tribe into patrilineal clans.

The Munda tribe is focused in the northeast of India, mostly occupying the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and parts of the neighboring country Bangladesh. The tribe also extends slightly to the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Tripura, as well as Nepal.

The Munda people have roots in southeast Asia, and based on linguistic analysis, are thought to have emigrated from southeast Asia (particularly Malaysia) to India up to 4000 years ago.

During Britain’s rule over India, most of the Munda tribe were bonded laborers to Indian rulers called zamindars, forced to work to pay off loans they owed. The 1823-1833 Kol uprising, which took place from 1823 to 1833, saw the Manki Mundas rebelling against the Thikedars, launching attacks, and looting villages. The revolt was suppressed by Thomas Wilkinson. Birsa Munda, a prominent freedom fighter, protested for the non-payment of rents and remission forest dues. Birsa Munda led guerrilla warfare with the aim of establishing Munda Raj, but he was ultimately captured and he died in jail. However, he would go on to be a highly regarded historical figure in Jharkhand.

Agriculture, though not ideal for the somewhat rugged terrain they inhabit, is the main livelihood of the Munda tribe. Hunting, fishing, and raising livestock are also common practices.

The traditional Munda diet consists mainly of boiled rice, root vegetables, and occasionally meat or home-brewed beer. Spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic are commonly used.

The Munda people worship a main deity called Singbonga, meaning “sun god”, along with multiple other secondary gods. They worship these gods at their seasonal festivals, called Mage Parab, Phagu, Karam, Baha Parab, Sarhul and Sohrai. They have a unique traditional style of Mundari music and dance, referred to as susun and durang, that all Mundas may perform at these festivals.