Swimming against the Tide: Maramai Kisku

Tracing the life of Maramai Kisku, a landless Santhal, who progressed from being a ‘labourer’ to a confident and assertive Ward Member of her panchayat, this article touches upon the changes in her attitude and style of functioning once she becomes a successful farmer, and leaves us with the searing quote, “The oppressed, instead of striving for liberalization, tend to become oppressors.”

W HENEVER ANYONE visits the Surjapuri community, she/he is offered a cup of tea, some biscuits and supari (betel nut). I noticed this unique custom when I started working in Bahadurganj district, northeast Bihar. I rather liked the custom and soon became used to it, and, on some days, I would have endless cups of tea.

Three years later, when I visited Maramai Kisku’s (a Santhal and an SHG member) house, I was served the customary tea with biscuits and supari. What led to this change? Was this the result of a rise in the social status of Maramai Kisku’s family? There were very few Santhal families; therefore, they stayed together, afraid of being bullied by the majority community. There was always a fear of being chased away by the local people.