The Lambadas, also referred to as Banjaras, are a vibrant nomadic tribe from Telangana, India. They celebrate a unique nine-day festival during the month of Sravanam in the Indian calendar. This festival is not just a time of merriment; it serves a deeper purpose—offering prayers for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous life.
During the Sravanam festival, the Lambadas engage in lively song and dance, donning their traditional attire. The celebrations welcome relatives from distant places, fostering a sense of community and togetherness among families. The atmosphere is filled with joy, as each gathering amplifies the spirit of the festival.
The rituals performed during this festival are deeply symbolic. Young girls and women carry wheat seedlings in twig baskets, a representation of fertility and growth. They water these seedlings three times a day, nurturing them with care, and later immerse them in local streams, symbolizing their connection to nature and the cycles of life.
Central to the festivities is the worship of Sevalal Maharaj and Mera Mayadi, regarded as the Goddess Parvathi. The Lambadas seek blessings from these deities, praying for good harvests and successful marriages. This devotion highlights the importance of spirituality in their cultural practices.
The culmination of the festival is marked by the immersion of wheat seedlings in nearby streams or rivers. This act is reminiscent of the Banjara's Bathukamma tradition, symbolizing respect and gratitude towards nature. Following this, a grand banquet is hosted to celebrate the end of the festivities, featuring various offerings such as meat and kheer, a traditional sweet dish. This feast not only satisfies the palate but also reinforces social bonds within the community.
Q1. What is the significance of the Sravanam festival for the Lambadas?
Answer: The Sravanam festival is significant for the Lambadas as it is a time for prayers for a good harvest and prosperity, fostering community bonds and cultural traditions.
Q2. How do the Lambadas celebrate the Sravanam festival?
Answer: The Lambadas celebrate with traditional songs and dances, rituals involving wheat seedlings, and communal feasts that strengthen family ties and cultural identity.
Q3. Who do the Lambadas worship during the festival?
Answer: During the festival, the Lambadas worship Sevalal Maharaj and Mera Mayadi (Goddess Parvathi) to seek blessings for bountiful harvests and prosperous marriages.
Q4. What rituals are performed with wheat seedlings?
Answer: Young girls and women carry wheat seedlings, water them daily, and immerse them in streams, symbolizing fertility and their connection to nature.
Q5. What is the feast like at the end of the Sravanam festival?
Answer: The feast is a grand banquet featuring offerings like meat and kheer, celebrating the festival's conclusion and reinforcing community bonds.
Question 1: Which tribe celebrates the Sravanam festival in Telangana?
A) Gonds
B) Lambadas
C) Koyas
D) Todas
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What is the primary intention of the Sravanam festival?
A) To celebrate the new year
B) To pray for a bountiful harvest
C) To honor local deities
D) To commemorate historical events
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: Who is worshipped during the Sravanam festival?
A) Lord Shiva
B) Sevalal Maharaj
C) Lord Vishnu
D) Goddess Durga
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What do young girls carry during the festival rituals?
A) Flowers
B) Wheat seedlings
C) Clay pots
D) Rice
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What happens to the wheat seedlings at the end of the festival?
A) They are dried for storage
B) They are sold in the market
C) They are immersed in streams
D) They are planted in fields
Correct Answer: C
Question 6: What type of food is typically offered during the festival feast?
A) Fruits
B) Kheer and meat
C) Rice and dal
D) Bread and butter
Correct Answer: B
Question 7: How long does the Sravanam festival last?
A) 5 days
B) 7 days
C) 9 days
D) 10 days
Correct Answer: C
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