Munda Clans: A Window into Tribal Identity and Culture

The Munda tribe, one of the largest tribal groups in India, has a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in the Chota Nagpur Plateau of Jharkhand, along with adjoining regions of Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha. Believed to have evolved from South East Asia, the Mundas are divided into several sub-groups such as Patar, Mahali, and Kampat Munda. A fascinating aspect of their social organization is the existence of nearly 106 clans, each carrying unique names and meanings that reflect the tribe’s close relationship with nature, livelihood, and tradition.