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Recently, the adivasis from the Ho tribe staged a protest in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, for interfering with their Manki-Munda system - traditional self-governance system.
- The Manki-Munda system - This is an age-old system of self-governance among Jharkhand’s Ho adivasi community, has been a central feature of the state’s administrative apparatus, since British times.
- The Ho tribe of Jharkhand’s Kolhan region lived under their traditional, decentralised system of governance.
- Munda - The Munda, or the head of the village, was responsible for resolving socio-political disputes at the village level.
- Each village had one Munda, appointed hereditarily.
- Manki - The Manki headed the pir, which generally consists of 8 to 15 villages.
- If cases were not resolved by the Munda, they moved upwards to the Manki.
- The Manki and Munda had no responsibilities for revenue or land-related issues.
- The system was purely an internal, self-governing mechanism, with no sovereign authority outside or the concept of paying taxes.
- Arrival of the British –
- In 1793, due to Permanent Settlement Act, in Kolhan, the zamindars began actively seizing Ho lands to bring them under direct control.
- This system would eventually trigger a number of early-19th century adivasi revolts, such as the Ho revolt (1821-22) and the Kol revolt (1831-32).
- The British decided to arrive at a compromise by recognising and co-opting the Manki-Munda system.
- Wilkinson’s Rules -
- Captain Thomas Wilkinson has been formally codified the traditional system of the Ho community or any adivasi community.
- Impact - Influx of dikkus and the concept of private property and land ownership was introduced, led to the issuance of pattas.
- Current issues with the system -
- There are number of vacancies for post of Mankis and Mundas.
- Some roles in the system were assigned to non-tribal raiyats.
- There is a section of the Ho community, especially the youth, who want reforms to the Manki-Munda system.
- Removing the hereditary role of the Munda and giving a fair chance to the educated , competent tenants.
- Many of traditional leaders are not formally educated, making it difficult for them to navigate the modern, document-based administrative system.
Reference
Indian Express | Kolhan’s Manki-Munda system
