- Jhumur Dance is a traditional folk dance of Assam’s Adivasi tea tribes.
- Originated from Jharkhand’s Chotanagpur region, brought by the tea garden community.
- Performed by the Sadan ethnolinguistic group, it is an integral part of harvest festivals, weddings, and community gatherings.
- Performance and Style:
- Circular Formation: Performed by both men and women.
- Rhythmic Footwork: Energetic steps synchronized with lively music.
- Instruments: Accompanied by Madal, Dhol, Taal, and Flute.
- Cultural Significance:
- Reflects the unity, pride, and struggles of Assam’s tea garden communities.
- Songs narrate stories of migration, exploitation, and social struggles, highlighting the resilience of the tea tribes.
Assam’s Tea Tribe
- Also known as the Tea Garden Communities, comprising workers and their descendants.
- Originated from Central India (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal) during the 19th century.
- Many were forcibly brought under exploitative conditions by the British to work in tea plantations.
- Demographics:
- Constitutes 17% of Assam’s population.
- Influences around 40 out of 126 Assembly seats, playing a crucial role in Assam’s political landscape.
- Cultural Importance: A vital part of Assam’s tea production and cultural heritage.
Key Facts About Tea
- Origin of Tea in India:
- Early 19th century: Discovered by the British through the Singpo tribals of Assam.
- Commercialized tea cultivation under British rule.
- Tea Plant Characteristics:
- Family:
- Species:
- Camellia sinensis (China variety).
- Camellia assamica (Assam variety).
- Growth: Evergreen shrub, can grow up to 30 feet if unpruned.
- Climate: Thrives in 16-32°C, 150 cm rainfall, and 80% humidity.
- Soil Requirements: Slightly acidic, well-drained, porous subsoil for water percolation.
- Caffeine Content: Fresh leaves contain ~4% caffeine.
- Tea Varieties with GI Tags:
- Darjeeling Tea (India’s first GI-tagged product).
- Assam Orthodox Tea, Nilgiri Orthodox Tea, Kangra Tea.
- India’s Tea Industry:
- Tea Estates: 39,700 across India.
- Employment: Over 1 million workers.
- Global Position:
- 2nd largest tea producer globally after China.
- 4th largest exporter of tea, with a 2023-24 export value of USD 781.79 million.
- Top Export Markets: Iraq, UAE, Russia, US, UK, Germany.
- Domestic Consumption: India consumes 80% of its tea production.
- Small Tea Growers (STGs): Contribute 52% of total production, with 3 lakh growers.
- Regional Production Trends:
- North India (83% of production): Assam (Assam Valley, Cachar), West Bengal (Dooars, Terai, Darjeeling).
- South India (17% of production): Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka.
- Tea Board of India (TBI):
- Established in 1954 under the Tea Act, 1953.
- Functions under the Ministry of Commerce.
- Headquarters: Kolkata (with overseas offices in London, Dubai, Moscow).
- Structure: 31 members, including the Chairman, reconstituted every three years.
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