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Syncretism at Sundarbans: Anthropological and Linguistic Dimensions

Ecological and demographic features coupled with the history of reclamations of land lay the foundation for understanding Sundarbans in terms of its spatial and cultural growth: It was during the colonial period when reclamation of land started to make islands habitable for human settlement. The history of reclamation oj land in Sundarbans with special reference to the trend of settlement is the fundamental guideline to understand the process of cultural syncretism. The effect of cultural mingling of different ethnic groups is well evident in the Bengali language, which is current in Sundarbans. This further unfolds a long history of migration and settlement of different categories of population in that area. The factors of human settlement in this part of the countn; coupled with the crises of survival have brought people together under a common canopy of syncretism, which borrows a myth from the twin faiths of Islam and Hinduism . The resultant force of this mythical spread has formed a common folk cult in this part of Gangetic delta, which has taken roots in all societies irrespective of their religious faith and occupational pursuits. However, there have been a differential rate of the degree of acceptance in different societies, if observed individually, but the uniqueness of this mythical spread is that it lies at the cognitive dimension of the people. Empirical findings suggest that this common cult may have originated in and around this region during the last century or so and had a sacred bond, which now takes the shape of a secular feature where the religious sacraments are guided in the principles of sacred-secular continuum. One of the chief philosophies of India and its people is secularism built in patience. Multilingual, multi-ethnic and pluralistic cultures of different ethnic affinities and religions characterize the Indian sub-continent. Owing to close The authors are associated with the Anthropological Survey of India, Eastern Regional Centre,