AMONG THARUS OF WEST CHAMPARAN :"FRIENDSHIP":AN ENDURING RELATIONSHIP

"FRIENDSHIP" : AN ENDURING  RELATIONSHIP

AMONG THARUS OF WEST CHAMPARAN 

There is one very notable and remarkable feature in the family and society of  Tharus of West Champaran. Besides the relationship by blood  (Consanguineal) and marriage(Affinal) the Tharus have devised an artificial form of relationship by which two persons may enter into a sacred bond of friendship. 

Such ties of friendship are more enduring than even those of marriage and blood. A friend, in their community, enjoys a higher and more esteemed position than their kith and kin. There is a popular saying:

"Mit na chodai,chahe chodai saga bhai."

(One may leave one's brother but not one's friend)

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

An amazing fact about friendship tie among the Tharus is that it is not contracted between one Tharu and another Tharu but it is also formed between a Tharu and non-Tharu after a thorough test  and exchange of mutual confidence.

But today this bond is also breaking. Simple and innocent Tharus of West Champaran are being deceived and exploited in the name of friendship particularly by the non-Tharus.


For in-depth field-based 
(around three decades) details 
on Tharus of West Champaran:
"Pattern of Social Change among the Tharus of West Champaran in Bihar"  Thesis submitted to JNU for Award of PhD by Dr AJAY KUMAR(OJHA) in 2009.