P. A. Chacko
Karam (colloquially Karma) is a harvest festival celebrated particularly in central India by the indigenous people.
The celebration is done by them in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Assam, and Bangladesh.
The Karam festival is celebrated by diverse indigenous groups such as Munda, Oraon, Bhumij, Bagal, Baiga, Binjhwari, Kharia, Karmali, Lohra,Kudmi, Korwa and others.
The festival is held on the 11th day of the full moon (Purnima) of the month of Bhado. Usually it falls between August and September.
The ritual rules prescribe fasting of unmarried girls. They fast and grow seedlings of grains for 7-9 days. Groups of young villagers take a trip to a nearby forest and gather wood, flowers and fruits which are to be used for the worship of the Karam God.
It is a festival. So people sing and dance to the tunes of the drum beat. The entire central tribal belt reverberates with songs, dances and drum beats.
This festival is celebrated for good harvest too. Nine types of seeds are planted in a basket such as rice, wheat, corn, millet, etc. which is called Jawa. Girls take care of these seeds for 7–9 days.
When the villagers go to the jungle, accompanied by groups of drummers, they cut one or more branches of the Karam tree after worshipping it. The branches are usually carried by unmarried, young girls who sing songs in praise of the deity. Then the branches are brought to the village and planted in the center of the ground which is plastered with cow-dung and decorated with flowers.
A designated village priest Pahan/Dehuri, offers germinated grains and liquor in propitiation to the deity. The deity is expected to give blessings for wealth and children. Blood is offered by killing a fowl and offering it to the branch. The priest recites the history and importance of the age old Karam Puja.
Karam festival has great significance in people’s relationship with nature. Nature provides. It is people’s lifeline. Hence, it is to be worshipped as a benevolent deity.
In an era, when consistent attack on nature, hills and valleys, forest and minerals goes on unabated, this festival gives added significance. Respect nature, love nature. Use nature’s gifts as much as you need, not for your greed. Seek nature’s blessing and thereby enjoy happy relationship with nature!
