Singbonga
Topic: Buddhism, Jainism and Heterodox Traditions · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 7 "India's Cultural Roots"
Meaning
Singbonga is the supreme god of the Munda and Santhal tribes of eastern India. He is believed to have created the whole world and is linked with the Sun. He shows that tribal religion is not only nature worship: many tribes also believe in one highest god above the lesser spirits.
Example
Among the Munda of the Chotanagpur plateau (present-day Jharkhand), Singbonga is honoured as the creator of the earth and of all living beings. Families pray to him for well-being, alongside offerings to village and ancestral spirits.
Don't confuse with
- Donyi-Polo: the combined Sun-Moon supreme god of tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. Singbonga belongs to the Munda and Santhal of eastern India.