Reading Tribal Minds on Female Sexuality through Santhal Folktales

Abstract

Feminist discourses reveal various hidden as well as explicit ways through which patriarchal society tries to suppress, oppress, and marginalise women. Similarly, several notions of Santhal women prevail in the Santhal society and culture, which can be interpreted as oppressive. The representation of women in their folktales has been done in a way that makes them cruel stepmothers, untrustworthy wives, and fooling girls. This paper aims to discuss these issues related to the portrayal of women in their folktales and reveal the hidden ways of oppression in their culture. Besides, it will try to disrupt the stereotypical concepts prevailing in Santhal society regarding women and reconstruct those ideas with modern perceptions and beliefs.