BAmbA KArAm

BAmbA KArAm is observed soon after the celebration of the JitiA KArAm festival. This ritual is held to protect village crops from insects that might damage their crops, harm themselves, or their animals. Branches of the KArAm tree are not required for this pUjA. On the day of festival, the women of the village collect plants of the gourd family (cucurbitaceous plants) like cucumbers, pumpkins, bitter melons, etc., from their gardens. In the evening, they paste vermilion on these plants and offer a small blessing or pUjA with these plants at the junction of three roads. In the ritual, they light candles, burn incense and pay homage to cultivated plants that sustain them. After dinner, they pass the night with dancing and singing, along with drinking home-brewed wine. On next day, the plants used in the pUjA are floated in a pond or river.

4.3. BuRahI KArAm

BuRahI KArAm is observed on 11^th of Jestha month (May-June) of the Bengali calendar. This festival is observed by village women to protect the village from mischief and unsocial events. On the day of ceremony, the women fast. In the evening, they plant a branch of KArAm tree in a special place in the village. Then they worship the branch with offerings of flowers, foods, fruits, candles and incense. After the worship, they spend the night dancing and singing around the pUjA and drinking home-brewed wine.

4.4. DAshAhAr dAshAi KArAm

DAshAhAr dAshAi KArAm is observed on the day following DurgapUjA, which is the biggest religious festival of the Hindu. The DAshAhAr dAshAi KArAmfestival is observed to celebrate

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the mythological victory of RAma over RAvana. In this Hindu epic, the youthful warrior Rama, who is an incarnation of the Hindu God Visnu, battles and kills RAvana, the demon king, who has abducted Rama’s wife.

Both of these festivals occur in the month of KArtik (October-November) of the Bengali calendar. Most of the young Oraon boys and girls are required to participate in this function.

If any refuse to participate, he or she would be punished. The DAshAhAr dAshAi KArAm festival is observed in the same place where the DurgapUjA was held. In the DAshAhAr dAshAi KArAm ritual, three branches of KArAm tree are planted and a statue of RAvana is placed beside the branches. Then goats and other domestic animals are brought to this place and sacrificed. A small pUjA is offered with special foods, fruits, cakes under the tree. Candles and incenses are burnt. After this worship, the blood of the sacrificed animals is scattered on the pUjA, and homage is paid, with heads bowed to the branches. Then, the statue of RAvana is set ablaze with fire. Previously the landlord compelled the Oraons to observe the festival to demonstrate the influence of Hinduism over them. Nowadays, the festival is observed occasionally. It is also worth noting that in ancient times, many animals were sacrificed.

Nowadays, only a few animals are sacrificed.

4.5. RAji KArAm Parab

The RAji KArAm Parab festival is celebrated on the11^th day of the month of BhAdra (August-September) in the Bengali calendar, especially on a bright full moon day.⁹ As the festival is held during the BhAdra month, it is also called BhAdai parav.¹⁰ Mainly, RAji KArAm is observed to protect crops from natural disasters. It may be worth noting that in Bengal, harvesting is usually held in this month and there may be some connection to the agricultural

9 Om Gupta, Encyclopedia of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (In 9 Volumes), Isha Books, Delhi, 2006, p. 1189.

10 Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, Vol. 4, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, p.192.

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cycle. It is also celebrated to maintain the continuity of lineage or succession.¹¹ W. G. Archer termed the festival as ‘Fecundity Festival’.¹² Among the KArAm festivals only RAji KArAmis observed gorgeously by the villagers. So, it is also called as KArAmparab by the Oraons. A description of the rituals is given below.

5. Procedures of RAji KArAm 5.1. Preparation

In ancient times, this festival was celebrated by families individually in their house yards.

But nowadays, RAji KArAm is celebrated collectively and in a gorgeous manner in an open space of the village. Everything is done with a great zeal and enthusiasm. Before the function, the heads of the families buy new clothes for their family members. The village forms a management committee consisting of 10 to 15 persons to plan every aspect of the function.

The committee collects donations or subscriptions to meet the festival expenses. After the collection, materials for the worship are purchased. Then, a big dais is built, and it is decorated with flowers, balloons, banners, festoons, color papers and cloths, etc. The site looks quite splendid after decorating. Home-brewed wine or hAriA ¹³ is prepared and guests are invited.

The festival is an auspicious and happy affair, and provides a good chance for young men and women of the village to meet. Unmarried girls are required to fast at night from nine days before of the festival, but unmarried boys are required to fast only the day of festival. They must abstain from eating flesh, fish and crabs during those days.¹⁴ Oraons believe that those

11 Complementarily of Human Life and Other Life Forms in Nature, op, cit., p. 57.

12 The Blue Grove: The poetry of the Oraons, op, cit, p. 43.

13 HAriA is an important component of the festival. A cup of HAriA is given to all as it is considered an energizing tonic which ensures good physical and mental health.

14 Oraon Religion and Customs, op, cit., p. 178.

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who are young today will be mother and father tomorrow. They look to the birth of children so that they will be able to sustain their ethnic lineage.

The place of worship is preparing Dais is made for KArAmparab