A Brief Description of Kudmi Community : History and Culture

The Kudmi are a peasant community in India who are listed as Other Backward Classes in Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. They have been demanding to be included in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. 

History 

The British classified the Kudmi as a Notified Tribe in 1865.
In 1913, they were classified as a Primitive tribe.
In 1950, they were omitted from the list of Scheduled Tribes.
In 2004, the Government of Jharkhand recommended that they be listed as an ST.
In 2015, the Government of India refused the recommendation.

Population 

The Kudmi are mainly found in the Chota Nagpur plateau region of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Some Kudmis have migrated to Assam and northern West Bengal.

Culture 

The Kudmi have a rich cultural heritage.
They are totemic, meaning their lineage is related to plants, animals, and other natural objects.
Their mother tongue is Kudmali.
Their major festivals include Chait Parb, Karma, Jitiya, Bandana, and Tusu Parb.
Their major folk dance is Jhumiar.