Cultural Life of the Tribals of the Koraput Region
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Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 Cultural Life of the Tribals of the Koraput Region Rabindra Nath Dash If one thinks of cultural history of primitive tribes Literarily the definition of their culture is so broad one must turn towards south Odisha, the hub of that we appreciate and accept every aspect of tribals. So this Koraput region, the domain of their life style which is associated with culture. tribals has become centre of study and research. In 1863 this region was under direct Although the tribal population in Odisha administration of British. The Government of India has around 25%, their contribution in the Act of 1919 declared the entire area of Koraput development process of the state is outstanding. district as Scheduled Area and the major tribes Their tradition and culture is broad and inhabiting the district have been declared as uncommon. And the cultural history of tribals of scheduled tribes. this undivided Koraput has special importance all over India. The tribal population consists of Normally the primitive tribes express the 53.74% in the undivided Koraput (now divided cultural identity through their custom, tradition, into 4 districts Koraput, Rayagada, Nawarangpur, festivals, dress and ornaments. Every tribe has a and Malkangiri) as per 2001 census. The certain place of origin and its spreading. They anthropologist study gives an account that there have their own oral and written language for are 62 types of tribes in Odisha. They all live in interaction of each other. The matrimonial alliance the above districts although their number is so of a tribe is arranged byits own community as small. As far as the population of a tribe is they oppose inter community marriage. Each tribe concerned the Bhumia, Bhatra, Gond, Koya, has its own social bond, administration, tradition Paraja, Kondh constitute above one lakh each. and judicial system. All these play a key role in While other 26 tribes population is around one maintaining law, youth dormitory, worship and thousand. enchanting, economic policy, collection of food, The Bonda and Didayi are considered as hunting, shifting agriculture and handicraft and so rare tribes because of their greatness and typicality on for their lively subsistence. of culture. Their domain and sphere of activity is Important features of tribal socio-cultural confined to the dense forest of Eastern Ghats and on the mountainous river. This aboriginal tribe is life :- divided into three communities viz, Munda 1. They live in relative isolation usually in hills (Austro-Asiatic), Dravidian and Indo-Asian. and forests in interior area. April - 2016 77 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review 2. Their social identity is defined and redefined community. For the management and from time to time. development of family, the role of women 3. They constitute simple societies which are was very important. Family was the smallest socio-culturally homogenous. unit in the Kondh social organization. Life of a Kondh family was most peaceful and 4. They have their written and oral language or without conflict and tension. Wife and dialect for communication. Husband helped each other in such a manner 5. They have their rich cultural tradition and as the custom of their society dictated. It heritage although their social organization is was a social custom on the part of the simple. husband and wife not to address each other with name. Women did not speak the name Other cultural features:- of her husband and younger brother 1. Traditional Village Council – The village because if she was widowed, she might council is considered to be the cultural have to marry one of them. Women were centre of tribal village. The head of the allowed complete freedom before marriage. village council is the head of the village. He The women played a vital role for the is normally selected as per seniority and management of the family. In every manner talent. Almost all the tribe calls the head as the Kondh women were considered as an NAIKO. Assistance is chosen to help the important asset to the family. They not only head is called as CHALLAN. The duty of help the male-folk socially but also convening a meeting is rested on the economically. The women were not fond shoulder of BARIKA. The priest of the of gossip. They were busy as bees all round village is regarded as DEHURI. The head the year. They had no Purdah system. Most of Koya village is WARDE, the Paraja’s agricultural activities were done by women. the MUDULI, the Sauras the Women were capable to purchase the daily GOMANGO and so on. The religious head necessities of life from the market. They of Kondh community is the JANI who is were expert spinners. The Kondhs assisted by BIS-MAJHI during the time performed various festivals in a peculiar of meeting. way and in every festival women enjoyed 2. Youth dormitories:- The Youth dormitories equal status with men. (Dhangda,Dhangdi Basa) play a major role 4. Ceremony of tribals:- ceremonies are for keeping the tribal culture and tradition inseparable part of the way of life of tribals. afloat. And most of the tribe have such There are two types of ceremony so far as institution for unmarried youths. The boys observation at family level and community and the girls spend nights their in separate level is concerned. The family level room in the dormitories. This dormitory has ceremonies mainly include newly born another importance particularly choosing of babies, marriage and death. The naming life partner by the youth. ceremony of the newly born baby is 3. Position of women:- It is very interesting observed which is taken place on 21st day to note the role of women in the socio- after birth. There is also provision of prayer economic and cultural spheres of the Kondh and worship to the forefather for blessing. 78 April - 2016 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 The ceremony also includes the drawing of Parab, Bhairabi Jatra,Nuakhai, Dhan-Nua, “Muruja and Jhoti” in tantric design. Dialli, Mandai and marriage ceremony. Similarly during the time of death rites there They put on their traditional dresses and is also the rule of drawing tantric design ornaments well on these occasions so as to and offering of non steam rice, wine, cocks, sing and dance in groups. The Pus Parab etc for pleasing the spirits of the dead. These and Chaiti Parab of almost all tribe of ceremonies are conducted in presence and Koraput region is recognized as main guidance of Jani, Sisa and Gurumai. festivals and Dhemsa, the popular dance is regarded as the best in the country. 5. Worship of nature:- All tribes are the worshipper of nature as they felt the A) Chaiti Parab:- The whole month of Chaitra presence of divinity in nature. Indeed, this (March-April) is celebrated as a holiday by is important from religious ground. They the tribals of this region. The month is spent give more emphasis on three elements of in feasting, night long dancing and singing nature. They worship the soil as mother and in expeditions into the forests together. earth, sun as religious god and water as the Men and boys go into forest for hunting. life giver. The aim and objectives of religious B) Pus Parab :- Pus Parab is observed in the objects are as follows (a) Prayer for month of Pausha (December – January ) in blessing (b) System of improved bread which men, women and children participate. earning (c) Worshipping and remembering After the rituals and sacrifices are made a of forefathers (d) Welfare of the world heap of wood is lit and people sing and (e) Recreation (f) Environment protection dance encircling the fire. The Bonda, Koya, and (g) Integration among communities. The Paraja, Didayi, Bhatra, Matia etc. observe religious practices go on in tribal culture all this festival with much pomp and pleasure. over the year. C) Ghanta Parab :- Ganta Parab is observed 6. Song, festivals and dance :- Other for three days in the month of Baisakha aspects that associate with tribal culture are (April). Ghanta means pot. Each such pot folk song, folk dance, fairs and festivals with four cakes, was offered to Thakurani which can not be ignored. They prefer to Penu along with a sacrificial animal by the perform song and dance in group rather than vow-taker who suffered from Small pox pairs or single. They play traditional tribal and Cholera. musical instruments such as drum, horn, D) Am-Nuakhai:- Am Nuakhai held among tamak, dungdunga etc. The expression of the tribals in the month of March. On this the parts of the body like eye, head, waist festival they take the first mango of the year and hand attract others and especially at the after worshipping their village gods and time of dance which is parallel to the tune goddesses. It is not a group festival but of musical instruments. Usually these types individual. of song and dance are organized at the time of fairs and festivals. The main festivals E) Amus:- It is held in the month of July. Each include Chaiti Parab, Pus Parab, Ghanta family member worships cow on the same Parab, Sim(bean) Parab, Aam (Mango) day. They go to their paddy field with milk, April - 2016 79 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Dhup, Kendu leaf for worship. In this time they take a liquid food made from Ragi and occasion each member takes wine and goat, a few quantity of rice. Bamboo shoots are very pig, cocks are sacrificed. popular which is known as “Basta” in their language. The Saoras in their early morning and F) Dhan-Nua :- This is also Nuakhai.