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FESTIVITIES AMONG TRIBALS
Those among the tribes who are Hinduized perform many rituals and observe
some festivals of their tribal past , especially those which do not directly
conflict with Hindu customs and deities, by eschewing sacrifice of cows,
buffaloes or offer of wine or partaking of these oblations. The
christianized sections do not usually observe the tribal rituals and festivals,
unless these can be harmoniously blended with Christianity. One example
may be given from the Sundargarh Oraon custom of ceremonial sowing of the paddy
seeds, sanctified in the tribal way by sprinkling the blood of the
sacrificed chicken. Among the catholic oraon, in a similar ceremonial
sowing, the paddy seeds were blessed by Mother Mary in a sanctifying ritual at
her altar in the local Church.
Among the tribesmen, festivities connected with sowing, harvesting and
consumption of first fruits, and among shifting cultivations, the feeling of the
jungle and burning it down for reduction to ash manure, are important ones.
Interestingly, enough, success in ceremonial collective hunting in April-May
often is believed to contribute to the success of their agricultural efforts .
The Santhals have a special spring festival of rejoicing with sprinkling of
water, special songs and dances. When the roles of the deities are acted out by
men, and thereby many traditional social barriers fall. Usually, the supreme
god is not offered any specific worship among tribals. But among the Santhals of
Mayurbhanj ,one may perform the worship every fifth year or at least one in a
life-time. Bondo festivities have a great relevance for the tribal communities
of Orissa. The Bondos spend a great deal of time on their religion, and the
feasts and holidays are an important part of Bondo life. Moreover, the
collective festivities foster a sense of solidarity of the village and fortify
one's confidence in undertaking major activities in economic and social life as
possible. Thus proving herself to be virtuous and devoted. The wife presents a
number of delicacies to her husband at the end of her fast.
Pusha Punein is celebrated by the tribesmen of north Orissa, specially the
Bhuiyan, the Gond and others. They celebrate this festival on a day closet to
the actual full moon day of month. The whole village joins in the celebrations
of feasting, drinking and dancing.
RITUALS
The goddess of small-pox, chicken-pox, cholera, measles and plague epidemics
know variously in various regions. They have to be worshipped and offered a
sweet drink called 'pana' at the function of roads leading away from the
village. The goddess are asked to leave the supplicant village and save it from
their wrath. Among tribals the village deities and some locally believed in
Hindu deities are worshipped in some cases with blood sacrifice. Some rites of rain making in drought affected areas are also worshipped by
the people of Orissa. Lord Mahadeva in a most common rite is immersed in water
so that there may be flood in the area in place of drought. The Santhal tribe of
Mayurbhanj district propitiates Sima Bongas with promise of special offerings as
demanded through the Shaman or spirit-medium. When rains come the promised
offerings are made. The hill Bando also make sacrifices to lessen the fury of
rain.
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