P. A. Chacko SJ
Paul Olaf Bodding (1865 – 1938)
Rev. Paul Olaf Bodding was a Norwegian missionary who came to India in 1890. Son of a book seller, he met Rev. Lars Oslen Skrefsrud at his father’s bookstall. Skrefsrud was the founder of the Indian Home Mission (later NELC) among the Santal ethnic tribe. Inspired by Skrefsrud’s work in India, Bodding volunteered to get to India. In 1890 Bodding arrived in the so-called ‘Santalistan’ in today’s Santal Parganas in Jharkhand, Eastern India, as a missionary priest after having studied theology and graduated at Oslo University in 1889.
To make his ministry effective, he took to learning Santali, the language of the Santal tribe. For 44 years he served in India. He was also a well known scientist and a medicine man. The Santals looked upon him as ‘ Ran Guru’ medical expert. He studied the Santal medical folklore and published it. On returning to his homeland, he passed away in 1938.
Unlike what people think about missionaries, he plunged into the local indigenous culture of the ethnic Santal tribe and studied their language with perfection. With that language tool he delved into Santal customs and traditions and researched into their folklore and medical practices.. Hence, he was able to father a number of books which have been expert guide to future generations. He is revered worldwide for his great contribution to humanity.
His celebrated works are: Folklore of Santal Parganas, Traditions and Institutions of the Santals, Santal Folk Tales, Studies in Santal Medicine and Connected Folklore, A Santal Dictionary, Riddles and Witchcraft among Santals, and Santal Grammar for beginners.
Our salute to this great and noble missionary!