In September 2025, adivasis of the Ho tribe in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum protested against the Deputy Commissioner, alleging interference in their traditional Manki-Munda system after reports of removal of village heads (Mundas).
- The administration clarified that Mankis and Mundas remain integral to the district’s revenue framework, but the episode highlighted tensions between customary self-rule and state administration in Kolhan.
Current Conflict
- Complaints from Non-Ho Communities: SCs and OBCs in Ho-dominated villages alleged discrimination, such as the Gope community being restricted from non-traditional livelihoods and issues caused by absentee Mundas delaying access to documents.
About Ho Tribe
- Ethnic Group: The Ho (also called Kolha, Hodoko, Horo) are an Austroasiatic Munda ethnic group of India.
- Ho means “Human” in their own language.
- Distribution: Concentrated in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand, also found in Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar.
- Language: They speak the Ho language
Society & Occupation
- Livelihood: Predominantly agricultural community engaged as landowners, cultivators, and labourers; some also work in mining.
- Women’s Status: Women enjoy relatively higher status compared to many other tribes.
- Culture: Villages have a community dancing ground (akhra). Traditional music uses instruments like dama (drum), dholak, dumeng (mandar), and rutu (flute).
Belief System
- Religion: Over 90% practice Sarnaism (indigenous faith).
- Religious Functionaries: A deuri (village priest) performs rituals, while a deowa (spirit doctor) conducts sacrifices to deities and spirits.
- Sacred Spaces: Rituals often held in a sacred grove (sarna sthals) outside the village.
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- Administrative Response: The DC issued a nine-point directive to ensure transparency and remind Mundas of duties under the 1837 Hukuknama.
- Misinterpretation and Rumours: Villagers misread the directive as punitive action against Mundas, sparking fears of state interference in customary laws despite official denials.
- Vacancies and Representation Issues: Out of 1,850 Manki–Munda posts in West Singhbhum, around 200 remain vacant; some appointments have gone to non-tribal raiyats, creating resentment.
- Need for Reform with Preservation: While the system holds cultural value, voices within the Ho community, especially youth, demand reforms such as ending strict heredity, including educated tenants, and modernizing functions for dispute resolution and legal clarity.
About Manki-Munda System
- A traditional, decentralised self-governance model followed by the Ho tribe of Jharkhand’s Kolhan region.
- Leadership Structure:
- Munda: Hereditary village head; Resolve disputes at the village level.
- Manki: Head of a pidh (cluster of 8–15 villages); Handled appeals beyond the Munda’s authority.
- History:
- Pre-British era: Functioned as a community-driven governance system with no concept of land tax or external sovereign control.
Wilkinson’s Rules (1833–37)
- Drafted by Captain Thomas Wilkinson, Political Agent of Kolhan Government Estate.
- 31 rules codified Manki-Munda practices.
- Effect:
- Recognised Mankis and Mundas but turned them into agents of British authority.
- Integrated Kolhan into the colonial revenue system.
- Facilitated influx of outsiders (Dikkus): 1,579 (1867) → 15,755 (1897).
- Introduced private property: Tribals became raiyats (tenants), with pattas (land deeds).
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- British Era Recognition: Expansion: After Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764), East India Company gained Diwani rights (1765) and later enforced the Permanent Settlement Act (1793).
- Impact: Ho lands were seized by zamindars, sparking uprisings to Ho Revolt (1821–22) & Kol Revolt (1831–32)
- Strategic Shift: Unable to subdue tribals militarily, the British co-opted the traditional system.
- In 1833: Captain Thomas Wilkinson codified the system in 31 rules (Wilkinson’s Rules), later implemented in Kolhan Government Estate (KGE) in 1837.
- Post-Independence Continuity: Kolhan Government Estate dissolved in 1947, but Wilkinson’s Rules remained.
- Judicial Position: Courts upheld them until Mora Ho vs State of Bihar (2000) – rules termed customs, not formal law, yet allowed to continue.
- Recent Measures: 2021: Jharkhand recognised Nyaya Panch under the system for revenue, land, and dispute settlement functions.
15 Sep 2025
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