Relevance: Prelims/Mains: G.S paper I: Art & Culture
Much thanksgiving took place between the ordinary members of the clan and the elders who made it possible for the Nagoba jatara to be celebrated with customary gusto.
The thanksgiving and the ceremony of Betal puja constituted the last of the rituals before the formal end of the annual jatara, which was spread over a month.
The Betal puja involved display of martial art, in this case sword wielding, by the Adivasi Raj Gond and Pardhans from the Mesram clan near the Govad. The practised exercise has the ‘warrior’ jumping into the air wielding a thin bamboo stick like a sword.
According to elders, the Adivasis were familiar with martial arts, having been from the once ruling clans. The Mesram exited Keslapur village to proceed towards Shampur in Utnoor mandal for the Budumdev jatara.
Why in news?
- Nagoba Jatara, the tribal festival of Telangana concluded.
Key facts to remember:
- Nagoba Jatara is a tribal festival held in Keslapur village, Inderavelly Mandal Adilabad district, It starts in pushya masam.
- It is celebrated by Mesaram clan of Gond tribes for 10 days. Tribal people from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh belonging to the Mesram clan offer prayers at the festival.
- The Gusadi Dance performance by dancers from the Gond tribe is a major special attraction of the event.
- The event also includes a ceremony called ‘bheting’, which incorporates new brides into the clan.
- The ceremony of Betal puja, which involves display of martial art, constitutes the last of the rituals in the event.