Myths and Misunderstandings About Hyenas in the Chota Nagpur Plateau
Introduction: The Chota Nagpur Plateau, stretching across Jharkhand and parts of Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar, is a land steeped in tribal traditions, sacred groves, and age-old folklore. Among its diverse wildlife, the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) occupies a unique yet misunderstood position. While these animals play an important ecological role as scavengers, their presence in local myths has often painted them in an unfavourable light, influencing human perceptions and sometimes fueling conflict.
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| Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) — often misunderstood in regional folklore and local narratives. |
Totemic Significance and Tribal Connection
Among certain indigenous communities such as the Munda tribe, the hyena holds a place of respect. In the Munda clan system, Hyndar (or Hundar) represents the hyena totem. Clan members refrain from harming their totem animal, recognising it as part of their ancestral identity. This reflects a harmonious worldview where humans and wildlife share the land in mutual respect.
However, beyond the totemic reverence, other narratives—often borrowed from broader South Asian folklore—cast the hyena in a more sinister role.
Folklore and Fear
In the wider South Asian and Middle Eastern cultural sphere, hyenas have often been associated with the supernatural. Some myths depict them as “witch mounts” ridden through the night by daayans (witches), or as soul-stealing creatures lurking near graveyards. Although such beliefs are not native to every tribal group in the Chota Nagpur Plateau, their influence has seeped into rural storytelling.
This blending of imported myths with local fears has sometimes led to the demonisation of hyenas. Their nocturnal habits, eerie calls, and scavenging around human settlements make them easy targets for suspicion, especially when livestock disappear or strange sounds echo through the night.
Ecological Reality Versus Myth
Contrary to fearful perceptions, the striped hyena is a shy, largely nocturnal animal that avoids direct conflict with humans. Its primary ecological role is that of a scavenger—consuming carrion, bones, and organic waste, thus preventing the spread of disease and recycling nutrients into the ecosystem.
In rural areas of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, hyenas sometimes visit village outskirts in search of discarded food or livestock carcasses. While this behaviour may spark alarm, it is part of their natural foraging strategy and rarely results in direct predation on healthy livestock.
The Cost of Misunderstanding
Superstitions can have tangible consequences. Across India, hyenas have been killed in retaliation for perceived livestock attacks or due to beliefs in their supernatural harm. In some regions outside the plateau, body parts are sought for traditional medicine or black magic, a practice that poses a serious conservation threat.
Given that the striped hyena is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, such persecution—combined with habitat loss—further pressures an already vulnerable population.
Towards Coexistence: Education and Conservation
Correcting the narrative is essential for the long-term survival of the hyena in the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Conservation education programmes can highlight:
Ecological Benefits: Emphasising the hyena’s role in waste management and disease control.
Cultural Respect: Celebrating indigenous totemic traditions that protect the species.
Scientific Facts: Dispelling myths about aggression, witchcraft, and supernatural harm.
By integrating local folklore with modern conservation science, communities can maintain cultural heritage while safeguarding biodiversity.
The hyena’s story in the Chota Nagpur Plateau is one of contrast—revered as a totem by some, feared as an omen by others. Bridging this divide requires respectful engagement with local traditions, awareness-building, and a commitment to coexistence. In doing so, we not only protect a misunderstood predator but also preserve the delicate balance of the plateau’s ecological and cultural landscape.
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