Traditional Agricultural Equipment’s and Using Techniques of the Santal Tribe in the Context of Tourism Development

Abstract

The Santal tribe is one of the major Indigenous communities of Eastern India known for their close relationship with nature, agro-based lifestyle, and traditional ecological knowledge. Their agricultural practices use tools crafted from locally available materials, reflecting sustainable, environment-friendly technology. This paper discusses the major traditional agricultural equipment’s used by the Santals, their cultural value, and their potential to be promoted through tourism initiatives such as rural tourism, eco-cultural tourism, and heritage village tourism. The study is based on ethnographic interview, secondary literature review, and fieldbased observations conducted in selected Santals dominated regions across Jhargram District of Jangalmahal, West Bengal. Highlighting the cultural and economic significance of these indigenous tools can support both cultural preservation and livelihood enhancement.