This book deals with culture and lifestyle of the Santhal which is one of the major tribal groups in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. The sixteen essays collected here explore the Santhal concepts of body, womb and seed, sound symbolism; formation and transmission of script; man and animal relationship; food and cooking; healing practices; religious beliefs and festivals; and the notion of the 'other' world in a distinctive framework of interpretation and analyses. More importantly, it contains contribution from Santhal intellectuals representing the self-view of their culture.