Tanti
Encyclopedia
Origin
The word tanti is derived from the HindiHindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
word tant, which means a loom. They were traditionally weavers, and are one of the many communities found in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, traditionally associated with this craft. According to their trafitions, they were created by the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
god Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
from his tears. The community is found in south Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, and district of Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
in Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
.
The Tanti are endogamous and consist of a number of totemistic clans, the main ones being the Nag, Sal and Kachchap. They are further divided into uncha or pure Tanti, and the nicha or impure Tanti. These two sub-divisions do not intermarry. They use Tanti and Tantubai as their surnames. The Tanti speak Panchpargania dialect of Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
. Their traditions are similar to other Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
weaving caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
s, such as the Koshta
Koshta
The Koshta are a Hindu caste found in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India. They are also known as Kesri, which is also used as a surname.- Origin :...
and Tattama
Tattama
- Origin :The Tattama are one of the traditional weaving castes of south Bihar and Jharkhand. According to their traditions, they are descended from the sweat of the Hindu god Shiva. They are have three sub-divisions, the Kanaujiya, Maghaiya and Tirhutia...
.
Present Circumstances
The Tanti are victims of mechanization, as their traditional occupation is no longer viable. They are now taking up agriculture, which is their primary occupation. The community is HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, but incorporate many folk beliefs. In general, literacy rates are poor, and the community is economically marganilized.Tanti is also called Tantwa is some districts of Uttar Pradesh mainly Deoria, Gorakhpur and eastern part of Bihar mainly Chhapra, Sivan, Buxar, Arrah etc.They are not involved in traditional weaving occupation. They have not agriculture lands, therefore they are mainly laborers and some are working in government and private jobs. They are not organized because they are very under developed.