Holi For Tribals In Jharkhand: When A Splash Of Colour Water Can Change Life Of Unmarried Women

Ranchi: A day before Holi, the whispers among the lasses grow into murmurs. They are excited that the festival of colours - read festival of water- means a lot more than just a joyful tradition. For, the day of Holi could change the fate of unmarried girls, for once and for all.

As the countdown to Holi celebrations begin with pomp and gaiety among tribals in Jharkhand, as per Banaras Panchang or Mithila Panchang, the young girls in the community get anxious. Going by tradition, if any person throws colour of water on an unmarried girl, it is considered to be a sign of marriage between the two persons.

Dumni Mai Murmu, Assistant Professor of Santhal language at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi, says that the tribals believe that water is the combination of all colours. "If the dust of brick gets on the forehead of an unmarried girl, it is considered equal to sindoor, which is a mark of marriage in women. So they choose water which they believe is a combination of all colours," she explained.

So holi is played consciously between some relationships. "For example, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, husband and wife can play Holi with each other but this definitely cannot be between brother and sister," added Murmu.

Mostly, the relationships bound by fun are open to playing water Holi. The tradition also mandates that if a youth puts colour or water on an unmarried girl, she gets chosen to be married to the same person, and the village assembly approves it. This is called the Baha festival of Holi. However, if the girl does not accept the marriage proposal, the youth is penalised. It could include demands like a bull, goat or land from the youth's house until he gets married to someone else.

The tradition followed in most Santhal communities is slowly waning, the tribal culture researcher said. Explaining on the marriage festival coinciding with Holi, Murmu said the 'Baha' festival starts from the fifth day of sighting of the moon in the Hindu month of 'Falgun'. "It is celebrated for the entire month. For rituals, new flowers and fruits are offered in the Jaher, the place where Santhals offer prayer," she added.

During puja on Holi, all the members of the family gather at a place and offer the new fruits and flowers before consuming those. Every village has its own dates scheduled for the Baha festival which also signifies harmony and unity with nature.

On the first day of the festival, Jaher is cleaned while the next day, people offer prayers. On the third day, the villagers go out on 'Atu Sendra' with weapons linked to the gods and goddesses. On this day, the tribals indulge in hunting within the boundaries of the village. But hunting necessary does not mean killing an animal.

"As a mark of sacrifice, a pumpkin or gourd can also be offered, followed by a community feast. In fact, during Atu Sendra, if any animal escapes the first attack, it cannot be targeted again," added Murmu.