Mahli (tribe)
Encyclopedia
Mahli is the name of a tribe of India. It is a scheduled tribe of the state of West Bengal
and Jharkhand
(earlier these areas were part of Bihar
). They mostly reside in Santhal Parganas
and certain other regions of Jharkhand, and in the adjoining areas of West Bengal. Their population is dwindling. Mahli people traditionally earned their livelihood by selling articles made of bamboo
. Some typical articles made by them are: Machi (a small bench), umbrellas, soop (used in kitchen, to remove dust from cereals), sop and chatai (for lying down and sleeping), raincap (special cap covering head, and upper back for protection from rains during work).
Mahli people typically have a tattoo
of their name on their hand.
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
and Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
(earlier these areas were part of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
). They mostly reside in Santhal Parganas
Santhal Parganas
Santhal Pargana division constitutes one of the five administrative units known as the divisions of Jharkhand state in eastern India.-Origin of name:...
and certain other regions of Jharkhand, and in the adjoining areas of West Bengal. Their population is dwindling. Mahli people traditionally earned their livelihood by selling articles made of bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
. Some typical articles made by them are: Machi (a small bench), umbrellas, soop (used in kitchen, to remove dust from cereals), sop and chatai (for lying down and sleeping), raincap (special cap covering head, and upper back for protection from rains during work).
Mahli people typically have a tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
of their name on their hand.