The Langan, a traditional implement for ploughing, is used by the Rabha tribe, an indigenous people who primarily make their homes in West Bengal. The Rabhas have long since depended on agriculture as their livelihood, and in fact, Langan forms an important category of tools among their family of traditional implements.
A typical wooden plough mainly composed of two parts: the body and the beam. The body takes a curved form, presenting an ergonomic structure which fits well for ploughing purposes. The holding grip is made continuous with the body so that the farmer gets a hold face downwards to work the plough as if it were a handle thrust into the hands. The beam, arguably the most vital part, is inserted at the free end and helps the implement stay put and penetrate effectively into the soil.
For the Rabhas, agriculture, indeed, is more than just a means of survival; it is a deep-seated vocation in their culture. A simple tool like the Langan goes a long way in preparing the soil for cultivation, giving higher yields, and ensuring better and more sustainable farming. Wooden ploughs such as the Langan were commonly handed down through the heirs dying and, as such, served as silent symbols of an equality of the tribe with nature and ancestral wisdom concerning agricultural techniques.
Though modern farm implements are available, a large section of Rabha farmers still resorts to using the Langan which is efficient and sustainable, making it a mainstay in their cultural practice of agriculture.