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KARMA FESTIVAL

18th September, 2024

KARMA FESTIVAL

Source: IndianExpress

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

Tribal populations in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Odisha celebrated the harvest festival of Karma or Karam Parv.

About the festival

  • The festival marks the worship of the Karam tree.
  • The tree is seen as a symbol of Karam Devta or Karamsani, the god of strength, youth, and vitality.
  • It is primarily observed during the Kharif harvest season.
  • The festival is popular especially among the Munda, Ho, Oraon, Baiga, Kharia, and Santhal peoples. 
  • The central ritual of the Karam festival involves planting a Karam sapling or bringing branches from a nearby forest.
  • They also planted the stem of Chirchitti (chaff flower) and Sindwar (chaste tree) in their paddy fields, which, according to Tirkey, acted as natural insecticides.
  • The tree is worshipped by women, who fast for the well-being of their brothers.
  • Towards the end of the Karam festival, branches from sal or bhelua trees are often planted in the fields.
  • At the end of the day, the branches are taken to rivers or lakes for immersion​.

Tribal Harvest Festivals

Festival Name

Location

Tribe

Significance

Karam Festival

Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha

Oraon, Munda, Ho

Celebrates the Karam tree; prayers for a good harvest and prosperity

Chapchar Kut

Mizoram

Mizo

Marks the clearing of forests for agricultural activities

Wangala Festival

Meghalaya

Garo

Thanksgiving to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest

Bhagoria Festival

Madhya Pradesh

Bhil, Bhilala

Marks the end of winter and start of spring; matchmaking festival

Kut Festival

Manipur

Kuki, Chin, Mizo

Post-harvest festival celebrating agricultural success

Aoling Festival

Nagaland

Konyak

Marks the arrival of spring and the new year

Bihu Festival

Assam

Bodo, Assamese communities

Celebrates the Assamese New Year and harvest

Madai Festival

Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh

Gond

Dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari for prosperity

Sarhul Festival

Jharkhand

Oraon, Munda

Worship of nature and the Sal tree to seek blessings for good crops

Phool Dei

Uttarakhand

Kumaon tribes

Celebrates the arrival of spring and prosperity

Hornbill Festival

Nagaland

Naga tribes

Celebrates Naga culture and tradition

Mansa Festival

Jharkhand

Various tribal groups

Worship of the goddess Manasa for protection against snake bites and harvest success

Sources:

IndianExpress

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q:Consider the following pairs: Tribal festival/State:

1.Wangla festival: Nagaland

2.Madai festival: Uttarakhand

3.Mansa festival: Jharkhand

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

a) 3 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: a

Explanation:

1st pair is incorrect: The Wangala Festival is celebrated by the Garo tribe in Meghalaya. It is a post-harvest festival where the Garos offer thanks to the Sun God.

2nd pair is incorrect: The Madai Festival is celebrated by the Gond tribe in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It is a cultural festival that involves worship and celebrations for prosperity.

3nd pair is correct: The Mansa Festival is celebrated in Jharkhand and is dedicated to Goddess Manasa, who is worshipped for protection against snake bites and for agricultural prosperity​.

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