Museum of Santal Culture

The Museum of Santal Culture is a private museum in Bishnubati, a Santal village of fewer than 700 people in Birbhum district, West Bengal. Started in 2007 with the Indian Museum's support, it was set up by the educator Dr Boro Baski together with other villagers and is run entirely by Santal people. Its Santali name, Santal Arichalidoho-jogao Bakhol, means a house for caring for Santal culture and heritage. It works alongside a Santal-run school in neighbouring Ghosaldanga, helping pupils and parents learn about their own past in a community whose history has largely been passed on by word of mouth.

The museum occupies a single-storey building modelled on a traditional Santal home, with traditional murals on its walls. Its 150 objects, mostly given by local people, are grouped into hunting gear, musical instruments, dress and ornaments, household items, old photographs and stone sculptures. Among the rare pieces is a banam, an old Santal lute.