in the 2001 national census, 91% of the hos declared that they professed "other religions and persuations", meaning that they do not consider themselves to belong to any of the major religious groups and follow their indigenous religious systems called "sarna" or sarnaism. also known as "sarna dhorom" ("religion of the holy woods"), this religion plays an important part in the life of adivasi. their beliefs in gods, goddesses and spirits are ingrained in them from childhood. the religion of the hos resembles, to a great extent that of santhals, oraons, mundas, and other tribal people in the region. all religious rituals are performed by a village priest known as a "deuri". however, he is not required to propitiate malevolent spirits or deities. the spirit doctor "deowa" takes care of this.