Tribal Festivals of India
India is a vast and diverse country with a rich tapestry of tribal cultures. These tribal communities, often referred to as Adivasis, constitute a significant portion of India's population, with varying customs, languages, and traditions.
They follow a subsistence lifestyle based on agriculture, hunting, gathering, and fishing. Their relationship with the environment is often deeply intertwined, and they have developed sustainable farming practices over generations.
Tribal religions are often animistic and nature-oriented. They worship deities associated with natural elements like forests, rivers, and mountains. Shamanism and ancestor worship are also common practices among many tribes.
The cultures come alive during the plethora of festivals throughout the year. These festivals often revolve around agricultural cycles and are marked by dance, music, and elaborate rituals.
We have been running some very immersive tours to these remote festivals. Some of these festivals are:
Kawant Festival of Rathwa tribes of Gujarat.
The Kawant Festival is a vibrant and culturally significant celebration among the Rathwa Bhil community in the Chhota Udaipur district of Gujarat, India.
The festival has deep agricultural significance, as it marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the sowing season. Farmers seek blessings from their deities for a bountiful harvest.
The Rathwa Bhil people perform traditional folk dances, the most famous of which is the 'Hinch' dance. Dancers wear colorful attire and move to the beats of traditional instruments like drums, flutes, and cymbals.
The festival is celebrated two days after Holi.
Aouling Festival of Konyak tribes of Nagaland.
The Aoling Festival is one of the most important and vibrant festivals celebrated by the headhunting tribe called Konyak Nagas, residing in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland and across the border in Myanmar.
Aoling is primarily an agricultural festival that signifies the commencement of the sowing season. It is a time for the Konyak Nagas to seek blessings from their deities for a fruitful and prosperous harvest.
Konyak men and women dress in traditional attire, which includes intricately crafted headgear adorned with boar tusks, feathers, and animal fur. They perform traditional folk dances, such as the "War Dance" and the "Thangin Phanek," accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums and gongs. The dances are characterized by vigorous movements and intricate footwork.
During the Aoling Festival, Konyak men wear loincloths and distinctive black shawls with white bands, while women wear colorful wraparound skirts and shawls. The use of natural materials and traditional jewelry is a prominent feature of their attire.
Bastar Dussehra of Gond tribes
The Bastar Dusshera, is a vibrant and culturally significant celebration held in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, India. It is primarily celebrated by the indigenous tribes of the region, including the Maria, Muria, Halbaa, and Dhurvaa communities.
Instead of celebrating the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, as is common in other parts of India, this festival is dedicated to the goddess Danteshwari, a form of Goddess Shakti. The goddess is considered the guardian deity of the Bastar region. The festival is also one day after it is celebrated in rest of the country. The highlight of the festival is the bison horn dance as well as return of the stolen chariot back to king!
Myko festival of Apatani tribes
The Myoko Festival typically takes place in March, lasting for several days. The exact dates may vary from year to year, depending on the lunar calendar.
A striking feature of the Myoko Festival is the hanging of colorful prayer flags known as "Tungri." These flags are made of bamboo sticks and pieces of cloth, and they are hung in various locations, including homes, fields, and sacred places. The flags are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
There is also the customary sacrifices of pigs and other animals.