The Kol Community is one of the indigenous communities of India, residing in the Chotanagpur region in the eastern parts of the country. The tribe is mostly landless and depends on forest produce for their sustenance. They consider themselves the descendants of Sahara Mata, the mother of the Kol. The Kol Community is concentrated in the northern districts of Madhya Pradesh, with a small population found in Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. The tribe celebrates the Jawara festival, which is organized twice a year and has characteristics of both ancient tribal and Hindu festivals.
The Kol Community’s Lifestyle
The Kol Community’s primary occupation is agriculture, and they practice shifting cultivation or slash-and-burn agriculture. This practice involves clearing a small patch of forest, burning the vegetation, and cultivating crops on the fertile soil that remains. Once the soil becomes infertile, the community moves to another area to repeat the process. The tribe’s diet mainly consists of rice, lentils, and vegetables grown through this method of agriculture.
The Kol community’s beliefs
The Kol community’s beliefs are rooted in animism, a belief system that attributes spiritual significance to various natural phenomena such as mountains, rivers, and animals. They worship their ancestors and gods like Sarjom Bonga, Jara Bonga, and Sing Bonga. They believe that the spirits of their ancestors protect them from evil spirits and other dangers. The Kol community also celebrates various festivals throughout the year, which are based on their agricultural practices and religious beliefs.
The Jawara Festival
The Jawara festival is an ancient tribal agricultural festival celebrated twice a year, during the winter and summer solstices. It is one of the most important festivals of the Kol community. The festival celebrates the harvest of crops, and the community expresses gratitude to their gods and ancestors for the bounty of the harvest.
The festival’s preparations begin a month in advance, with the community members cleaning their houses and decorating them with flowers and colorful designs. The festival involves the use of a ‘Jawara Bhagat,’ a sacred person who performs rituals and prayers to appease the gods and bless the community. The Jawara Bhagat also plays a significant role in the community’s social and religious affairs.
On the day of the festival, the community members dress in their traditional attire and gather around a central place, where they perform various rituals and offer prayers to their gods. The festival is also marked by cultural programs such as traditional songs, dances, and dramas performed by the community members.
The Significance of Jawara Festival
The Jawara festival is significant in the Kol community as it represents the community’s connection with their land and agriculture. The festival celebrates the bond between the community and the land that provides them with their livelihood. It also reflects the community’s reverence for nature and their belief in the spiritual significance of the natural world.
