Paper Details

Whether for leisure or ritual, hunting has been a common practice since the time immemorial. In this article, I have tried to examine the genesis, cultural significance, development, socioeconomic ramifications and contemporary ideas behind mass slaughtering of animals on the pretext of customary ritual. After the advent of colonial rule, the hunting scenes in India changed and its profound impact was felt by the forest dwellers. The enforcement of new laws like wildlife protection, property confiscations and reservations aimed at conservation and control. Some choose to pursue different forms of employment while retaining aspects of their hunting culture through customs and traditional knowledge. In the collective memory the concept of ceremonial hunting is very much present as evidenced by folk songs, religious events, and oral traditions. The constant tussle between saving culture and protecting nature is best expressed in the process of ritual hunting. Through historical narratives, recent news and archaeological evidence, I have tried to provide an overview about the hunting practice in Bengal.

Hunting, Bengal, Nature, Tradition, Animals, Forest, Environment