Conversion Narratives of the Santals: Edges with Visualization

This chapter explores the Santal community’s conversion narratives, providing an analysis of how colonial legacies, religious conversions, and development initiatives have affected their cultural identity and cohesion. By means of experiential insights and oral narratives, this chapter critically examines the Santals’ opposition to colonial impositions, the intricate complexities of conversion as an effort to civilize the world, and the consequences of faith-centered development initiatives. Furthermore, it provides insight into the ways in which Christian missions and the nongovernmental sector shaped the identity of the Santal people and the dynamics of the community. Additionally, the chapter explores the complexities associated with reverting to the Santal religion and offers a critical assessment of the effectiveness of social science and professional interventions in resolving Santal issues. In its entirety, it underscores the complex dynamics between development, religion, and indigenous identity within the Santal community of Bangladesh.