055.
Culture
Nagoba Jatara: Celebrating Gond Heritage and Tribal Unity
🐍 A Festival of Spiritual and Cultural Unity
- Nagoba Jatara is a major tribal fair celebrated by the Mesram clan of the Adivasi Gonds.
- Held in Keslapur village, Telangana, this 8-day festival began on January 28.
- It is the second-largest Adivasi gathering in India, drawing devotees from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and other states.
🔱 Rituals & Ceremonies
- ‘Varooli Prathishta’: A clay anthill is built to symbolise the deity Nagoba.
- Sri Nagoba Maha Puja: Marks the formal start of the festival.
- Devotees bring holy water from the Godavari River to be used in rituals.
👥 Community & Identity
- The Mesram clan elders conduct the ‘Bheting’ ceremony, introducing newlywed brides to the clan.
- This ceremony strengthens kinship bonds and cultural identity.
🌾 Traditional Offerings
- Naivedyam (harvest offerings) are presented in bamboo baskets, symbolising gratitude and connection to nature.
- Fresh food grains represent the prosperity and self-reliance of the tribal community.
💃 Cultural Performances
- The Gusadi Dance, performed by men in elaborate costumes, is a highlight of the celebrations.
- Accompanied by traditional folk music, it reflects the spiritual and cultural essence of the Gonds.
👣 Who Are the Gonds?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | MP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, etc. |
| Language | Gondi (Dravidian, related to Telugu) |
| Population | 11 million (as per 2001 Census) |
| History | First kingdom in 1200 AD (Chanda); later ruled by Marathas and then British |
| Resistance | Fought against British in the 1910 Bastar Rebellion |
