Tribals ahead in social reforms

Visakhapatnam: One should retrospect the values the tribals are cherishing for centuries and the urbanites craving to imbibe them. It could be social reforms like widow remarriage, or casteless society and secularism- a peep into their daily lives would give an insight to understand the social backwardness of the urban society.

Visakhapatnam district has half a million trobals divided into various communities-Gadabas, Savara, Hill Reddis, Jatapus, Kammaras, Konda Doras, Konda Kapus, Kotia, Koyas, Malis, Manne Doras, Mukha Doras, Nayaks, Porjas, Reddi Doras and Valmikis.

There is no concept of individual ownership among the tribal community but the community feeds every member in the community and no single person is left hungry. Harmony exists between villages and communities and village councils set their own traditional village boundaries called Polimeru. The land, forest and cutting trees within these boundaries are strictly followed by these communities, while natural resources are common property of the community.

They all practice Nestam throughout their lives (urbanites observe Friendship Day once in a year) since there is an agreement of the different communities to make friendship. Besides, it promotes welfare of each other, while members never talk ill of their friends. In Srikakulam, they call it as Sangato or Tonagotta and in Visakhapatnam, Goth Band Bar.

Irrespective of sect, creed, sex, anyone could enter into a gift exchange and this practice has been going for ages. Even though, women enjoy equal status with men, but men retain the leadership role.

However, men discuss with their wives before taking major decisions like purchasing or selling household property or agricultural fields or other dealings.

There is also a custom called levirate marriage in which men would marry the wife of his deceased brother and also assumes the additional responsibility of taking care of his children and his property. Thus the village community provides protection for the fatherless children and the widows. However, the marriage is performed only after the consent of the widow.

The community is ahead in environment protection as well unlike people living in the urban settlements. While exploring forest resources, they ensure regeneration.

They would only take fully grown beedi leaves, leaving all the tender leaves to facilitate the growth of the plant. Mango, mohwa and tamarind trees are never axed and are left to multiply. Adivasis live in harmony with nature and love their forests. There is no place or hill without a name.

The village elders and their councils monitor the behaviour of its members. If any member goes astray, the community elders will pronounce punishment as per their set norms. It is this homogenisation and harmonisation of culture that preserved the internal discipline of the community.

Tribals too observe festivals on the occasion of selection of new plot for Podu cultivation, marriages, puberty and harvest. Popular among the festivals is Dhimsa. It is now branched off to eight different categories of dances-Boda Dhimsa is a worship dance in honour of village Goddess. Men on the right and women on the left form two rows and hold one another firmly in their hands.

In Gunderi Dhimsa or Usku Dhimsa, a male dancer while singing sends invitation to the females to dance with him. Thereafter, the male and female with firm steps move in forward and backward stride in a circle.