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@article{183348,
        author = {Kadey Soren and Raju Mardi},
        title = {Sonajhuri Haat: Negotiating and Diluting Santal Culture},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {3},
        pages = {1468-1475},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=183348},
        abstract = {The establishment of the Ashram at Santiniketan in 1863 by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, followed by Rabindranath Tagore’s founding of a Ashram school in 1901 and subsequently Visva Bharati in 1921, laid the foundation for a unique confluence of cultural, educational, and social ideals. Visva Bharati, which became a central university in 1951, is located amidst more than sixteen Santal villages within a 3 to 5-kilometre radius. Over the decades, Santiniketan, Sriniketan, and the surrounding Santal communities have engaged in a dynamic process of mutual cultural and socio-economic influence, shaping the distinctive character of the region.
Emerging from this intercultural context is the Sonajhuri Haat—a weekly traditional market held near the Sonajhuri forest in the Khoai region of Bolpur, West Bengal. Named after the Sonajhuri trees (Acacia auriculiformis), which shed yellow blossoms in winter, the haat is set against the backdrop of eroded red laterite landscapes and the dry riverbed of the Kopai River. Historically known as the “Sonibaar Haat,” it was once primarily run by Santal artisans, who sold handcrafted items made from forest produce, such as musical instruments, ethnic jewelry, and household crafts. These products were created using indigenous knowledge and local materials through value-addition processes rooted in traditional skills.
In recent years, however, the demographic of artisans at the haat has shifted, with a growing presence of non-Santal sellers. This shift reflects broader social and economic changes and raises critical questions about authenticity, cultural appropriation, and representation. Despite this transition, the haat remains a vital cultural bridge between mainstream visitors—many of whom are tourists or academician—and the Indigenous Santal community. It facilitates cultural exchange, economic transactions, and sometimes, tensions stemming from unequal participation and recognition.
Situated near Santiniketan, an internationally recognized center of learning and tourism, Sonajhuri Haat also plays a crucial role in commercializing ethnic crafts and promoting sustainable livelihoods. Yet, this commercialization walks a fine line—while it has the potential to reinforce cultural pride and economic resilience, it may also dilute Santal identity under market pressures.
This paper explores the dual role of Sonajhuri Haat as both a platform for cultural preservation and a site of cultural negotiation. It underscores how tradition, ecology, and education intersect to either uplift or unintentionally marginalize the cultural expressions of Indigenous communities.},
        keywords = {Shantiniketan, Santal, Sonajhuri Haat, Culture, Visva-Bharati},
        month = {August},
        }