Asur people Information & Asur people Links at HealthHaven.com

Asur
Regions with significant populations
Religion
	Traditional beliefs
Related ethnic groups
	Santal, Munda

For other uses, see Ashur (disambiguation).

Asur people are a tribal/Adivasi people living primarily in the Indian state of Jharkhand, mostly in the Gumla, Lohardaga, Palamu and Latehar districts.

According to one source the total population of the tribal group of Asur is 7,783^[1]but they are not mentioned as a significant group in the census highlights for scheduled tribes in Jharkhand ^[2] Similarly, they are an insignificant group in West Bengal^[3]but Asurs were amongst the Proto-Australoid groups inhabiting the western regions of West Bengal in pre-historic times.^[4]

Asurs have traditionally been iron-smelters. The modern Asur tribe is divided into three sub-tribal divisions, namely Bir (Kol) Asur, Birjia Asur and Agaria Asur. The Birjia are recognized as a separate schedule tribe. ^[5]

The Asur religion is a mixture of animism, animatism, naturalism and ancestral worships. They also believe in black magic like bhut-pret (spirits) and witchcraft. Their chief deity is Singbonga. Amongst the other deities are Dharati Mata, Duari, Patdaraha and Turi Husid. They celebrate festivals like Sarhul, Karma, Dhanbuni, Kadelta, Rajj karma, Dasahara Karam.^[5]

[edit] References

^ "Asur". Maps of India. http://www.mapsofindia.com/jharkhand/people-culture-festivals/asur.html. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
^ "Jharkhand: Data Highlights the Scheduled Tribes". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_jharkhand.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
^ "West Bengal: Data Highlights the Scheduled Tribes". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_westbengal.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
^ Ray, Nihar Ranjan, Bangalir Itihas Adi Parba, (in Bengali), 1980 edition, p. 57, Paschim Banga Niraksharata Durikaran Samiti
^ ^a ^b "Asur Adivasi". Jharkhandi.com. http://jharkhandi.com/asur.aspx\. Retrieved 2009-10-01.

[0] "Asur". Maps of India. http://www.mapsofindia.com/jharkhand/people-culture-festivals/asur.html. Retrieved 2009-10-01.

[1] "Jharkhand: Data Highlights the Scheduled Tribes". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_jharkhand.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-01.

[2] "West Bengal: Data Highlights the Scheduled Tribes". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_westbengal.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-01.

[3] Ray, Nihar Ranjan, Bangalir Itihas Adi Parba, (in Bengali), 1980 edition, p. 57, Paschim Banga Niraksharata Durikaran Samiti

[jharkhandi-4] "Asur Adivasi". Jharkhandi.com. http://jharkhandi.com/asur.aspx\. Retrieved 2009-10-01.

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