The Gift of the Eye - Mortuary ritual performed by the Jadopatias in the Santal villages of Bengal and Bihar, India

Abstract

The Jadopatia has found a niche working among the Santals. The work he performs is connected with the fate of the deceased Santal. These ritual acts are firmly planted in the world-view and ritual context of the Santal as well as Hindu society. However, this event is not a compulsory part of the Santal funeral ritual cycle. How is it then that the Santal generally accepts the Jadopatia's visit, and complies with the Jadopatia's demands when he performs his mortuary act?