West Bengal 3,480 (2011 census) | Bihar 1,932 (2011 census) | |
Jharkhand 31,050
46,222 (2011 census) | ||
The Sauria Paharia people (also known as Maler Paharia) are a tribal people of West Bengal, Bihar & Jharkhand in India. Sauria Paharia are listed as Scheduled Tribe by the Government of West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand. They are found mostly in Santhal Parganas.
Contents
Link with Oraons
According to Oraon traditions, when they were driven out of their home in the Son valley, the main group migrated towards Palamu but a smaller group moved down the Gangetic valley till they reached Rajmahal Hills, where they settled mostly in Damin-i-koh. The language of the Sauria Paharias is closely linked to that of the Oraons.
Demographics
Sauria Paharias are listed as a primitive tribe and have a population of around 30,000 in Jharkhand, with a possible negligible population in West Bengal. They constitute less than 1 per cent of the tribal population in Jharkhand.
Society
Sauria Paharias resort to shifting cultivation. They lead family lives.
The Saurias are divided into three distinct cultural groups, namely the Probia, the Bare and the Chete.