Manki-Munda System

Members of the Ho tribe staged a protest in West Singhbhum district, accusing the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of interfering with their traditional self-governance system by removing village heads known as Mundas. The protest reflects growing tensions over the preservation of indigenous governance traditions in Jharkhand’s Kolhan region.

Administration Denies Allegations
The district administration dismissed the charges, stating that misinformation spread on social media had triggered unrest. Officials clarified that Mankis and Mundas continue to be an integral part of the revenue system, and no move has been made to undermine their authority.

Concerns Over Autonomy
Despite the clarification, adivasi concerns remain strong. Many in the Ho community fear that their centuries-old system of autonomy, rooted in the Manki-Munda governance framework, could be eroded by administrative interference.

The Manki-Munda System
The traditional Ho system, predating British colonial rule, was a decentralised form of governance. Each village was headed by a hereditary Munda, responsible for resolving socio-political disputes at the village level. Groups of 8–15 villages formed a pir, led by a Manki. If disputes were unresolved at the village level, they escalated to the Manki.

The system was purely internal and self-governing, with no authority over revenue or land-related issues and no concept of taxation — a structure that maintained local autonomy for centuries.

A Century-Old Balance at Risk
The current conflict threatens the delicate balance between the indigenous self-governance practices of the Ho tribe and the formal state administration. With mistrust brewing, the situation underscores the challenges of harmonising traditional systems with modern governance structures.