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The Mahli are a community in the Indian states of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.[3] Basketry is their main occupation.[4] They speak the Mahali language, which belongs to the Munda group, and many of them also know Odia, Santali, Bengali, and Hindi.[5] They are included in list of Scheduled Tribe.[6]
They are caste who works as palanquin bearers and bamboo workers. They are divided into five endogamous subdivision: the bansphor Mahli, pahar mahli, Sulunkhi, Tanti and Mahli Munda. Their some septs are Barwar (banayan), Bhuktuar, dumriar (wild fig), gundli (a kind of grain), Induar (eel), Kantiar, Kasriar, Kathargachh (jackfruit tree), Kendriar, Kerketta (a bird), mahukal (a bird), Tirki, Tunduar, Turu, Lang Chenre, Sanga. Their four septs Hansda, Hemron, Murmu, Saren also found in Santal tribe.[7][8]
Their traditional occupation was making households items of bamboo.
They were also making musical instruments such as Mandar, Dhol, Nagara etc.[9]
Their deity is Surjahi (Solar deity). Other deity are Bar Pahari (mountain deity) and Mansa Devi. Their festival are Bangri, Hariyari and Nawakhani etc.[10]
They are listed as a Scheduled Tribe by the Jharkhand government.[11]
- Ghasi Ram Mahli, poet
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