Asur people are a very small Austroasiatic ethnic group living primarily in the Indian state of Jharkhand, specifically within the Gumla, Lohardaga, Palamu, and Latehar districts.
[citation needed] Their indigenous technology of iron smelting gives them a distinct identity; as they claim to have descended from the ancient Asuras who were associated with the art of metal craft.
[citation needed] They live in pats (a clearing area) surrounded by the forest, and their houses are made of mud walls supported by wooden poles with a roof covered with paddy straw and self-baked khapras (tiles).
Their houses consist of spaces for cattle and birds and a separate area for worship of ancestors.
Utensils for cooking and storing water drawn from wells, are made of iron, aluminium and earthen ware.
Traditional male clothing is dhoti while the females wear tattoo marks (depicting totemic objects) upon their bodies as ornaments.
They use common agricultural implements for cultivation; and occasionally hunt game in the forest using bows and arrows.
The veneration of Mahishasura has spread throughout the Munda tribes of West Bengal as well as Namasudras.
They don't have access to proper basic amenities like health services, education, transportation, drinking water, etc.