MANISH GUPTA
Ranchi, Oct 28: Several tribals in Jharkhand have started observing or taking part in Bihar-originated festival Chhath puja. Sociologists, anthropologists and tribal leaders call it as part of the acculturation process, but some also view it as a religious agenda.
Tribal woman Shanti Toppo of Kokdoro village at Pithoria in Ranchi has been observing Chhath puja for the last 22 years when her son was critically ill. On her neighbour’s advice she began doing Chhath puja and her son recovered. She continues till date.
Lalita Devi of Hurhuru Patratu Basti in Hazaribag has also been celebrating the festival for a long time with support from her family and relatives. Another tribal lady Kavita Devi has begun from this year with all the strict rituals for peace and happiness at home.
“Whenever there is a confluence of two communities some aspects of both groups will be absorbed by the other. Tribes came in contact with Hindus and some got influenced with their ways,” said Dr Surendra Pandey, Professor of Sociology, Ranchi University.
Pandey said that the idea of tribals as a separate religion or the concept of Sarna code began after 1845 and gained momentum after 1947 when conversion of tribals by the missionaries to Christianity continued. The tribals were facing a crisis of identity.
“The tribals had never felt threatened by the Hindus and spread of Hindu festivals like Chhath is more an example of social harmony. Some Hindus also follow Sarna dharma and celebrate Karma puja. I believe 20 to 30% of tribals observe Chhath puja.”
Pandey said this acculturation has no disadvantage to any party. As a student in early 1970s, Pandey used to clean the Azampur ghat in Bhagalpur, and the All India Radio began a commentary on evening puja from Bhagalpur and morning puja from Patna.
Associate Professor of Sociology Prabhat Kumar Singh said, “When I joined the Ranchi University in 1985, there were hardly five people observing Chhath puja. All used to go back to Bihar for it but with families becoming bigger, it has become prevalent here.
“Rise in population, migration and power and purity of the festival has been the reasons for the spread of Chhath puja. There has been no organisation promoting its spread. People have taken it up voluntarily out of emotion and the piousness attached to the festival.”
We surely see Chhath puja being celebrated all across India, including major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, and also in foreign countries. The festival is observed to pray to the Sun god. Among the major wishes devotees pray for are peace, happiness and children.
While tribal leaders agree that any incident of tribals celebrating Chhath puja is part of the acculturation process, they prefer not to assign any big significance to it. Some tribal leaders believe Hindu fundamentalists are doing this to convert tribals into Hindus.
Dr Karma Oraon, former Professor of Anthropology and former Dean (Faculty) of Social Science, Ranchi University, said, “Acculturation happens between societies when they stay in close contact for decades and centuries. Some tribals do participate in Chhath puja and receive prasad but they are converted Hindus. Even some Hindus have also started celebrating Sarhul festival.”
Oraon said that the Chhath puja may be a form of nature worship but the tribal worship encompasses many other things. It is a conciliation of power superior to human beings which is believed to control the course of nature and human beings. There is belief in supernatural powers and spirits, and these powers are connoted as nature in tribal worship, he said.
“Hindus and tribals are separate identities. Why are some people trying to mingle these two different sets of people? These are a completely different set of entities. Tribals have been here before the Aryans. Tribals are the earlier, original settlers of this land India.
“RSS and for the last 200 years the missionaries have been trying to assimilate the tribals within their fold,” the senior anthropologist said.
Salkhan Murmu, tribal organisation Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan President and former Lok Sabha MP said that he has no idea about this trend. “Since I have not seen any tribal observing Chhath puja, it won’t be proper for me to comment on this. The rationale behind tribals, who are nature worshippers, to have an inclination towards Chhath puja does not hold ground,” Murmu said.
