Asia’s largest tribal festival "Medaram Jatara"

Tribal festivals in India - "Medaram Jatara"

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• The story: "Sammakka Saralamma Jatara" is a festival to honour the Hindu Tribal goddesses, celebrated in the state of Telangana, India. This Jatara is known for witnessing one of the largest people gatherings in the world. The Jatara begins at Medaram in Tadvai Mandala in Mulugu district. The rituals related to the Goddesses are entirely conducted by the Koya Tribe priests, in accordance with Koya customs and traditions.
• Key points: Until 1955, about 2,000 people used to visit Medaram, of which the majority 1,500 belonging to the Koya tribe. But now a large number of non-Koya people (1.3 crore) visits Medaram and the Koya people comprises only 2% of the total worshippers. Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in the Deccan. Once declared a national festival, the jatara can be considered for 'intangible cultural heritage of humanity' tag of UNESCO. Jatara celebrated during the time the goddesses (Sammakka and Saralamma) of the tribals are

1. to visit them. It is believed that after Kumbha Mela, the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara attracts the largest number of devotees in the country.
2. Apart from the participation of tribals from across the country in huge numbers, the fair also attracts non-Adivasis.
3. The state government has spent around Rs 364 crore in the arrangements for the biennial fair. The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned Rs 2.26 crore for Medaram Jatara.
4. The Mulugu district administration and the police have arranged for drinking water, sanitation, parking grounds, traffic diversions, police outposts, etc.

• History: Legend has it that about eight centuries ago, tribal king Medaraju, who ruled the habitations along river Godavari, failed to pay a royalty to the Kakatiya kings of the region due to severe drought. This was taken as defiance to the Kakatiya rulers who invaded the land leading to the death of Medaraju and his daughters Sammakka and Sarakka in the fight. The Adivasi community believes that both Sammakka and Sarakka turned into caskets of vermillion and while the former was found near a bamboo grove on a hillock, the latter was found at Kannepalli village, 4 km away from Medaram.

1. Once in two years, the tribals offer prayers at the bamboo grove and bring back a casket of vermillion and bamboo sticks wrapped in red cloth, symbolising the return of Sammakka and Sarakka.
2. Both are placed under an Indian elm tree at Medaram village to begin the four-day festivities, after which they are returned to the forest. During the festivities, the tribals offer jaggery equal to their own weight as a replacement of gold. They also offer cut pieces of red cloth, vermillion and turmeric to the deities.

• Summary: India’s tribal festivities are a feast for the eyes, and have been around for as long as anyone can remember. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is a government body that helps preserve the heritage of these tribal groups. The protection and preservation of these communities is its primary function. Modern India’s unforgivable ignorance about our rich cultural heritage and tribal descent is a worrying issue. We need to be taught the significance of these festivals that we celebrate. A basic history lesson is enough to put our Makar Sankranti, Modamba festival, and other national festivals into context. Our nation’s history will so easily be forgotten if these festivals are only about the food, fellowship or exchanging pleasantries.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) Festivals of India are representation of the spirit of Indian people to leave in harmony with nature. Do you agree?  Discuss with suitable examples. (2) Discuss the features and significance of important festivals and dances of the people of India.

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