Sammakka Saralamma JATHARA Medaram Jathara Highlights

Sammakka Platform Medaram Jathara Highlights

Medaram Jathara is the largest Tribal Fair in Asian Continent after Kumbha Mela, attracting over 12 million pilgrims - tribals and non-tribals.

The Jathara is celebrated once in two years and conducted by the Racha Koya Tribals of and the adjoining states.

This year, the Jathara is scheduled to be held from 31st January, 2018 to 3rd February, 2018 at Medaram, Thadvai Mandal, Jayashankar Bhupalpally District, Telangana, . A Koya Playing Bison Horn (Thootha Kommu) Koya Life & Culture

HABITAT AND PEOPLE The Koyas are one of the predominant autochthonous people from the southern part of India. The Koyas are popularly known as ‘Dorala Sattam’ and believed to be a section of the Gondi speaking race. The present habitat of the Koyas lies within 800 15’ to 820 00’ East Longitude and 170 15’ and 180 45’ North Latitude. These include the areas of Polavaram and Mulug (Eturnagaram) Taluks of West Godavari and districts respectively along with Rampachodavaram and Yellavaram Taluks of East Godavari, and Nugur Taluks of district. Koya inhabitation spreads far into the hills along the banks of the river Godavari. The Godavari river has exerted a profound influence on the economics, social and cultural activities of the Koyas’.

The Koyas are economically more progressive than other tribal groups. They initiated plough cultivation in this region. They live in symbiosis with Konda Reddis. Both Koyas and Konda Reddis produce same crops and trade with each other through the barter system. Koya Blacksmiths supply the Konda Reddis with iron implements whereas the Konda Reddis manufacture and supply baskets and winnowing fans to the Koyas.

A typical Koya settlement is a group of hamlets scattered all over the village close to their fields instead of houses concentrated in a large colony. The Koya houses are of rectangular or square shape with thatched roofs and invariably with wooden fencing. If there are frequent epidemic outbreaks in the village, then the entire community deserts it and settles at some other suitable place. Koya Habitat

According to 2011 Census, the total Koya OCCUPATION AND ECONOMY population in Telangana is around 3.00 Lakhs. The primary occupation of Koyas is 68.2% of total Koya population is found only agriculture. Agricultural labour and collection in . A significant part of of Minor Forest Produce are the other the Koya population is covered by Tribal subsidiary occupations. Some Koyas living in Development Blocks viz., Eturnagaram of the forest areas, still practice Podu cultivation Bhupalapally district and Bhadrachalam, (Shifting cultivation). Kunavaram, Vararamachandrapuram and Ashwaraopet of Khammam district. All these occupations are more a way of living to Koyas. Their method of earning SOCIAL ORGANISATION a livelihood is of primitive nature and Koyas are sub-divided into Gutt Koyas, subsistence level. They are least bothered Gommu Koyas, Kammara Koyas, Musara about the “Morrow.” Their standard of living Koyas, Gampa Koyas, Oddi Koyas, Doli is low. The Koya life is, however, changing Koyas, Kapu Koyas, Matwa Koyas, Linga due to various development activities in and Koyas, Gutta or Racha, and Gommu Koyas. around their areas of habitation. The Koyas residing on the hills are known as Gutta or Racha Koyas, and those on the KOYA WELFARE banks of the river are known as Gommu The Koyas are one of the largest tribes Koyas. The Gutta and Gommu Koyas speak in Telangana occupying an area of 3,000 a dialect of their own. Each Koya sub-division square miles approximately. Koya welfare is classified into five exogamous clans: - has received the highest attention of both the Government and the voluntary organisations • Perumboyadu ( Arogatta) Gotram in the State. • Aidogatta • Yedogatta • Mudogatta • Naligatta RELIGIOUS BELIEFS & FESTIVALS Koyas worship goddess Mamili, The main festival or Jathra of Koyas is at Kommalamma, Katurudu, Adamarazu, Korra Medaram of Mulug Taluk of Bhupalapally Raju, Mutyalanma, Kudidevara etc. The district. Medaram Jathara is a tribal festival goddess Mamili is believed to appeased honouring the Goddesses Sammakka with blood. An offering of animal sacrifice Saralamma. It is celebrated once in two years is made to ensure proper crop production. in the month of “Magha” on the full moon day. Mutyalamma is the goddess is considered to Several thousands of Koyas from different be the protector of people from smallpox and villages assemble there and, sacrifice fowls cholera. Every year chickens are sacrificed and animals to the mother deity. to appease this goddess. Every Koya family keeps the idol of Kudi Devara in their homes Another unique annual Koya festival is as to ensure prosperous life. Ancestor Mutyalamma Panduga. If smallpox and worship is also prevalent in this community. cholera are rampant, the goddess is pacified The statues of gods and goddesses are by observing special ceremonies. In addition guarded with great secrecy by the Pujaris to these festivals, Koyas also celebrate and are revealed only on rare occasions. Dasara, Deepavali, Sankranti etc.

Bringing Hay Home for Cattle during Summer Protecting Crops from Rats and Squirrels

Goat Pen Koyas Tap Taddy and Jeelugu Kallu Jathara Legend

The Doli Koyas, dependent upon Racha between Nagulamma and Pagididda Raju in Koyas for their livelihood, recite the legend Kottapalli materialised. Sammakka later saw of Sammakka, Saralamma and their tutelary the handsome Pagididda Raju and quarrelled deities. The gist is recited by pointing out with Nagulamma at the wedding, to sort painted motifs on the Devara Padagas the issue Pagididda Raju married both the (sacred flags) and is as follows:- sisters.

Sammakka was born to Rayi Bandari Pagididda Raju held some sway over some Raju who lived in the forest areas south areas of the Koyas but failed to pay off of the River Godavari. He had a younger tributes to his overlord Prataprudra of the child named Nagulamma. Samudrudu, . During the ensuing battle the brother-in-law of Rayi Bandani, was between the Koya tribals and the Kaktiyan the chieftain of Kottipalli in Bijapur-Bastau army led by Yugandhara, Pagididda Raju fell region of . A marriage alliance down. Subsequently, Sammakka entered of Sammakka and Pagididda Raju, son of the battlefield and brought her husband to Samudrudu was agreed upon between the a place near Medaram-Bayyakkapeta. She two chieftains. However, Sammakka didn’t gathered all the Koya tribal folk and told see Pagididda Raju before marriage; instead, them that she would be disappearing into her younger sister Nagulamma did and was the forest hills, but she will protect them if attracted to him. In anticipation of marrying they celebrate a Jathara in her honour once him, she told Sammakka that he looked in three years. Presently, the Jathara is ugly. Subsequently, the plan of marriage celebrated biannually.

Sammakka Platform in 1955 Sammakka Jathara, 1955 - 1986 Offering of Jaggery Called Bangaram (Gold) Jathara Procedure

Saralamma is believed to be the daughter of Sammakka who demonstrated equal valour in the battlefield as her mother. As Saralamma chose to stay unmarried, she is called Kanne (unmarried girl) and her abode known as Kannepalli. Her insignia (Aderalu and Bandari) is brought by the traditional Koya priests (Kaka Vaddes) on Wednesday before the Magha Pournami on to her Gadde (platform) in Medaram from Kannepalli amidst Koya traditional musical beats (Doli, Thootha Kommu, symbols, etc.) and dances with huge processions/prostrations of the pilgrims seeking boons for children etc. The flag of Hanuman, considered to be her maternal uncle, precedes the goddess.

Similarly, the insignia of Pagididda Raju – flag, Aderalu and Bandari is brought by Penka Vaddes from Punugondla village, Mandal, Mahbubabad district on the same Wednesday to Medaram. Likewise, the deities of Govindaraju, brother-in-law of Sammakka and Nagulamma are brought by Dubbalgatta Vaddes from the village Kondayi, Eturnagaram Mandal, Bhupalapally district in Medaram on the same day by evening.

Then the Siddhaboniya Vaddes start to the nearby Kanka Vanam (bamboo forests) of Padigapuram, spend the night there worshipping the goddess Sammakka and lift the Kanka trees along with the roots during the early hours of Thursday and proceed towards Medaram. During the procession, thousands of devotees prostrate with wet clothes en-route with the intention of touching the Kanka Vanam and the Vaddes. The Goddess is traditionally received (Edurukollu) at a place (tree) called Edurukolla Manda(pam) where the evil spirits will be appeased not to disturb the Jathara ceremonies. By the evening of Thursday, the Goddess Sammakka reaches her Gadde (platform). Then the devotees start taking her Darshan for three days, i.e. up to Saturday. The footfall of the devotees is increasing every year, and Sammakka Temple, Medaram presently a volume of 12 million pilgrims is expected to have the Darshan of Goddess in Medaram.

During the evening hours of Saturday Sammakka is brought to the sacred places of Pigididda Raju and Pota Raju in front of her Gadde and then retires (Vana Pravesham) into the forests of Chilakala Gutta. The same day all the deities also retire to their native places, and the Jathara traditionally comes to an end.

On the following Wednesday, the Racha Koyas celebrate Thiruguvaaram (revolving Saralamma Temple, Kannepalli day) or sixteenth day (Padahaaru Pandaga). Pilgrims traditionally take a holy dip in the Jampanna Vaagu, believed to have been named after the son of Sammakka. Then they visit the Gaddelu of Sammakka and Saralamma pray and present the Bangaram (Gold, i.e. jaggery), money, etc. on the Gaddellu and Hundis. Some pilgrims present the deities with Odibiyyam and Kodelu (bullocks). Having come to their temporary shelters, they show/toss-up (Edurivvadam) hens, goats, etc. in honour of the deities and eat them. The pilgrims retire to their native places after spending the night there.

Sammakka Platform Sacred Platform of Sammakka Aerial View of the Jathara

Tribal Museum, Medaram Museum

Inauguration by Hon. Ministers on 23rd Jan 2018 Night View of Tribal Museum

Selfie Point Sculptures Depicting the Marriage of Sammakka By the onslaught of Jathara 2018 the The legend of Sammakka has been presented Tribal Welfare Department, Government in life-size sculptures in six episodes abutting of Telangana finished the fencing of the left side compound wall of the museum Chilakala Gutta, the abode of Sammakka to educate the visitors. The same events and constructed a Tribal Museum in have been shown in miniature figurines in Medaram. The museum exhibits the following:- the Sammakka gallery on a revolving circular • Koya Material Culture table. The bison horn cap of traditional Koya • Sculptural Presentations Dancer has been made in a macro sculpture • Paintings of five yards width, length and height and • Replica Installations placed on the pinnacle of the museum that is • Photographs visible from distant places. A statue of Koya • Video Documentaries dancers with bison horn cap and Doli drum is The nine galleries in the museum erected in front of the museum to enthral the are named after the deities, and the visitors and serves as a Selfie point. traditional Koyas material culture is exhibited in them as detailed below The paintings (Padagas) that depict the legends of Sammakka and her tutelary • Sammakka Gallery – Sacred Objects deities have been exhibited in their respective galleries. The replicas of temples • Saralamma Gallery – Household Items of Sammakka and Laxmi Devara of Naikpod • Govindaraju Gallery – Agricultural tribals have been installed inside and Manche Implements (Pandals) and goat pen outside the museum.

• Jamapanna Gallery – Hunting and Twenty-seven large size photographs fishing equipment depicting the life, culture and sacred places of Koyas have been displayed in the museum. • Deities Gallery – Sammakka and Laxmi Devara Temples Twenty-minute video documentaries are planned to be played for the visitors on the • Nagulamma Gallery – Musical Medaram Jathara and tribal culture. Instruments

• Ornaments Gallery – Ornaments

• Pagididda Raju Gallery – Social/ economic items

• Dance Gallery – Peram Kok/Kommu Koya Dance

Sri K. Chandrashekhar Rao Sri Azmeera Chandulal Hon. Chief Minister Hon. Minister of Tribal Welfare Telangana Govt. of Telangana

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India Kakatiya Heritage Trust, Warangal

Tribal Cultural Research & Training Institute Commissionerate of Tribal Welfare Government of Telangana Hyderabad- 500 028, Telangana.

Tribal WElfare Department Government of telangana “D” Block, Ground Floor, Secretariat Hyderabad-500 022, Telangana, India

In Collaboration with

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Government of India New Delhi