ANCIENT HISTORY OF GOR BANJARAS (Part 4)Written by: Prof. MOTIRAJ RATHOD (Aurangabad, Maharashtra)...Continued from Part 3Rajasthani Dhundh Song ... V V S{ ..... Bb Bb Jb E M E M... Vx Si V... Si Si ÆM M Bi + Bi +*[Festival Songs of Rajasthan by Dr. Jagmalsingh, page 29]The birthday boy is blessed after this ritual and the following song is presented." SE S ... ES ES i { JS + J{i, Jn Jb, + <* S{ b-V V S{ , iÆi ] * +i EE nn, +i + < Æn +i E]Æ E SE S... { ] xMeaning: Happiness is everywhere. Put up climbers of Champa flower in front of the home at the earliest. As the climber grows the boy will grow along with it. He has number of relatives and lot of cattle. The boy is born in such a prosperous home. We bless both the mother and the child. Let there be such 7 sons. First child will become Naik of the Tanda; second will look after the daily work. Third will graze the cattle. Fourth will be a horse rider. Fifth will graze the goats, sixth will take care of the parents and seventh will enlighten everybody and give justice to all.Then through the gestures of hands the growth of the child is shown. In this way the birthday (Dhundh) of the child is celebrated. After the Dhundh ceremony the Holi is burnt at the hands of the Naik. Then a show of war skills with swords, belts and sticks is shown there. All members return to their homes. The birthday of children from other clans is celebrated in the afternoon. The Gors from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka sing this Dhund song:" SE S ... ES ES i { JS + J{i, Jn Jb, + <* S{ b-V V S{ , iÆi ] * +i EE nn, +i + < Æn +i E]Æ E SE S... { ] xKhuta WakderTwo big stems are buried in front of the home where the birthday is to be celebrated. The stems are tied together with a rope. The geria has to uproot them with another rope. The Gerani women also guard the stem with sticks in their hand. This game of win and loss goes on for an hour. The team of Geriya attacks on the stems. The women also attack them with sticks. The tribals in Nimad are following this ritual. They bury a stick with a flag attached to it (Cultural History of Nimad, page 38). The tribal women do not allow the men to go near the flag. This time also the women beat the men with sticks. They tease each other through songs and in the end Geriyas become successful to uproot the stem in spite of beating from the women. The show of power, skills and plans are exhibited through this game. All Tanda enjoys this game. The competition between them goes on throughout the night and in the next morning the ancestors are worshipped.PhaganamIf any outsider enters the Tanda during the celebrations of Holi then he gets a sacking and is fined before he is released. The Gerias pay obeisance to the Holi and apply the ash to each other. Then men start the game of colours. It is called as Phag Ramer. The teams of Geria and Gernis go independently to each house. All of them have drink and collect money for the celebration. At this time Geriya and Gerani perform a type of song called Phag Bhand Lengi. These songs are highly obscene and teasing in nature. A sort of competition of such songs takes place. First of all the team of Geria goes to the house of the Naik:"i xE EMeaning: Come on; give us your earning from the Naikship. Open the lock (of the safe) and take out the money. Speak up, how much money you will give us or be ready to take a beating.Bhand Lengi "ÆM x Mv Sn ÆM x Mv M Mh S"Meaning: The Geranis are in joyous mood in the month of Phag. They yearn for the Geriyas and become pregnant in this month only."U Efø Mh vÆb EÆ U Efø... ] ] M i { UbÆ... nb E M E U Efø..."Meaning: O, Gerani, deliver a baby at the earliest. We all will celebrate the birthday. If your husband is not able to do any thing then we will send some selected your Geriyas after you, then at least you will become pregnant. If you give birth to a boy we will have a feast of a well-bearded goat.Gerani Bhandlengi"< M E Ux M Ux E Ux x E Ux Mhi Æb nS... v] v] bS..."Meaning: This Geriya is of no use to us. He has nothing with him. He has a face like a Gerani and just running here and there.Bhand Lengi songs are a separate subject of research. Only a few examples are given here.A Rajasthani Ger Song+h... M ÆM xS... (+E) S ... V b E, U E... x E V i E, nx n {...A Gujrathi Ger Songn x { M EÆ< xS... ibx { M l-l xS ] n-V`, PÆP] E E ih... i M , l ÆM xS... E] E E , E< E M {x... Jx x, E< n xnx...[Comparative Study of Rajasthani and Gujrathi folksongs, by Dr. Jagmal Singh]Farewell to HoliBefore giving a farewell to Holi a play song called Damani Bandher is performed by Geriyas and Geranis. The notorious Geriyas are tied with ropes like cattle. Then some fodder is kept in front of them. They are beaten with sticks considering that these animals are uncontrollable and are wonderers. The Geriyas answer to the Bhand Lengi and in the end free themselves and run away." M M M Mh vEi vM "Meaning: The Geriyas are defeated in the game and songs and ran away as they are frightened of the Geranis.The Geriyas pay obeisance to the Holi in the evening. Then Geranis do the same. They go around the Holi and pay obeisance. The Geriyas perform a Payee dance by singing a religious song. Geranis also perform a dance in the name of the god. Then they touch each others feet and take blessings."b < i EV S Æb..."Meaning: Mothers and sisters, please forgive me. Whatever I have said is only due to the Holi celebrations.And in this way farewell is given to the Holi." +< bM S ... iÆbx x Jb S Mx Mh n S..."Meaning: Holi had come and now she is going, leaving the Geria alone. But she is handing over the Geriya to the Gerani. She has blessed the Geriya for a child and then she is leaving.GerThe next day a male goat is bought by collecting money from all. It is killed and the meat is distributed equally among all. With this feast the colours of Holi come to an end. This is known as Ger. Without Ger it is not considered that the Holi is gone (over). The song sung on the occasion of Holi is not performed till Diwali. After the Diwali there is a custom of singing the Lengi song till next Holi.Gor Rituals and CustomsThe rituals, customs and traditions of any tribe depict the history of its civic life. The rituals and traditions of Kshatriya Gorvamshiya tribe are still alive today. It is essential to study the ancient folk literature to understand them. The social and cultural life of this community is expressed in the folk literature. Folk literature is a mystical source. It gives us information about history and social standard of any tribe in a geographical perspective. Jawaharlal Handu in his book Kashmiri and Hindi Folk Songs A Comparative Study supports this fact. He says, The information about history, customs, rituals, blind faiths, different thoughts and their sources is available from the folk literature. (Page 15).The literature of Gor Banjara tribe is a separate subject of study. I have earlier written a research paper on the social and cultural life expressed in this folk literature. I am trying to find out their ancient history from this hitherto unknown Gor literature. I have taken references of those folk songs, which are alive in the context of rituals and traditions and customs. The songs of children and women are important among the folk songs. A human being undergoes number of rituals from his birth till death. Man is somehow connected to these rituals and traditional customs in his life and lives along with them. The beginning of this process takes place from birth. Gor were performing all rituals and marriages without the aid of a Brahmin.Birth RitualNo ritual is performed on a pregnant woman. The words used for her are Dee Jawer, Pateti or Aashati. If a drum is beaten on the birth of a child then everybody comes to know that it is a boy. Other women gather in front of the house of the mother. She is called as Shawadi. Shawadi is a Nimadi word. A ritual called as Wekalap is performed on this occasion. This word might have originated from the Marathi word Olakh meaning introduction. The latest meaning being to introduce the child to the world around. On this auspicious occasion a recipe called Lapasi is offered first to the fire god. Jaggery is added to wheat flour to make this item. Then the women perform a folksong called Natero. This word might have been constructed from Marathi word Naate meaning relationship. The women also sing a song to bless the child.< i Eb, < i Eb i i Æx +, i i { VMeaning: O, goddess, please protect the health of the mother and the child. Make the child strong soon. Take away all the sorrows and bring us happiness.Then the jaggery and pieces of coconut are distributed to all. Other folk songs are also presented on this occasion. vi +xÆn x+, V E + +xÆn x+Meaning: Let us all celebrate; the son of the earth is born. It is good that a brave boy, Kshatriya is born in our Tanda. A Kshatriya who has put on orange coloured clothes and is riding a horse.Jalawa DhokerOn the 5th or 7th day after the birth a ritual called Jalawa Dhoker is performed for worshipping the goddess of water (Jaladevi). Saawadi i.e. the mother does not tie her hair till this ritual is performed. Both the mother and the child are brought out in the evening. A pit is made in the courtyard for the fireplace. A small pot is kept on the head of the mother. Grains of wheat and Jowar are given to her and in the process she is brought near the fireplace. She puts water in the fireplace and also the grains of wheat and Jowar. Seven small sticks of Bamboo are burnt and extinguished in the fireplace. Then Suawadi rinses the thumb of her feet in water for 7 times and bows in front of the goddess of water (Jaldevi). Then returns to the house with a pot full of water. Small children are offered a dish made up of wheat on this occasion. Prior to that Suawadi washes the feet of the children with water. Then she gives a portion of the item to the woman who is yet to be blessed with a child. The women sing this song on the occasion:" < i i fø Eii Eii + < n x { V"Meaning: Come here with a Sutali Dhora i.e. a boy. Take away needle and thread meaning a girl. That means let a boy be born and not a girl.The girl is not considered auspicious like the Rajasthani tradition. The Gor Banjara from Madhya Pradesh had a custom of killing a girl after her birth.Pagalya ritual is related to Malawa and Nimad region [Malawi Folksongs Analytical Study by Dr. Chintamani Upadhyay, page 74). Their culture is reflected through these three ritual songs.BE xi- { x , n x i x vi x+, V +xÆn n vi V +xÆn x+ i V +Vx E ...Meaning: According to the tradition of Gurus, first recall the name of Guru, then Meghraja, third name of the earth (Dharati). It is a blessing we have got by recalling the names of these Gurus and a warrior like Arjun is born in the Tanda to further the traditional of Raimal Kingdom. He will take care of our welfare.The items prepared from wheat are especially preferred for offering in the worship of fire or even water. This fact also indicates that Gor Banjaras were residents of Malawa province, which has abundant wheat production. The wheat of Malawa is famous and it is considered as an auspicious food grain.The Paglya ritualThe child starts walking around one year of age. When it is able to stand on its feet and walk then the Paglya ritual is performed. Grandpas of the child present him with new clothes like Zagala, Kalda, Sankal, Phundi cap etc. The child is made to stand on a small colourful piece of cloth called gudadi. Then evil spirits, if any, are warded off. The small children of the Tanda area given special dishes to eat. This custom has been taken from Rajasthani people.Vadai RitualThe ritual of Vadai is performed before going for marriage. Vadai means reaching the age of marriage. The marriage is not performed without this ritual. This ritual is performed at once on 2-3 brothers and not on a single brother. If the boy is alone then a piece of cloth used in daily worship for the gods is kept on a small seat. And on the other seat the boy is seated. A hot needle is used to make a mark on his forehand. This is called as Agnidaag. The earlobes are also pierced on this occasion. The name of the Guru is recalled during the Agnidaag ritual. It is called as Gurumantra."E + E V E VM v Pb {i + ÆM +b M i +b x Eb E] Mb ÆMeaning: The life of man is like bubbles. Many a great warriors were born and died here. The Guru has blessed you; your life will be a happy one. Go and ride on white horse. If anybody attacks you, nothing will happen to you. Arm yourself with sword, waist belt, Zubkadi, small sword and a shield and ride the horse. Guru Baba has blessed you. They are always with you. Even though you do not understand the meaning of this advice of the Guru, you ride the horse, take the shield and sword with you and go to the battlefield, follow your Kshatriya Dharma and be victorious. The Nagaswami who gave this advice might be from Udaipur Mountains. References about it are found in legends. No ritual is thought to be complete without chanting the name of Nagaswami Guru. One legend says that this Guru had arranged for marriage of a Kshatriya Gorvamshiya Prince and made his life. Guru Govind is not related with the Gurumantra in any way.Kan Samloi The original word is Kaan Samalai. It means to tell everybody about an event i.e. engagement. Gor Banjara does not arrange marriage within the same clan. Different clans are matched. Marriage proposals in nearest relations are preferred. The chief of the Tanda on behalf of the boy goes to the Tanda of the girl. All members gather in front of the house of the girl with the permission of the Naik. They introduce each other. The Panchayati (Jury meeting) is arranged for the engagement. The experienced aged persons at this time tell these couplets to all:"{ÆS {ÆSi V V , Jx J, +` {b l V n l + {b {Sx, M i M M, n nx En E<"Meaning: This is Raja Bhojs meeting. Almost 1 to 1.25 lakh representatives have arrived here. We were away (from each other) while living in mountains now we are known to each other. The relatives have met each other and a good decision is going to be taken. It is as if a diamond is found in a mine.In the end a representative from the boys side stands up and introduces the fathers of both the boy and the girl. As per rules 125 rupees and 5 oxen are given to the father of the girl as dowry. And lastly all are given sweets and tea etc. and the engagement is finalized.Gol KhayerGol Khayer means eating the jaggery. This event is organized prior to the marriage. After consuming jaggery the engagement is supposed to be fixed. Normally the event is organized at the boys Tanda. People from both sides gather under a big tree or Mango groove outside the Tanda. The bridegroom is brought there. First a ritual called Kasu Pucsher is performed."+{ M E +xÆn U, +{ < E U < +Æn M +Æn, < V"People on both sides first exchange pleasantries. When it is said that all relations and friends are in happy state, water is given for drinking. Discussion on other things is also held; it is called as Saktar. The details of give and take and the date of the marriage are decided. The girls side says the Saktar:"] ] nV, ` E M + , E< nx +M E"Meaning: The girl should be married in a far off Tanda. It is a good experience. The relatives should be such that they must be helpful at the time of any crisis.Saktar from the boys side is like this:"BE Vn{ BE =n{, nx Si VhÆ... M + V EÆb V i V x, M` {b Vi ib i i]i x, |E i"Meaning: Engagement is taking place between two Tandas. Both are clever. The relations established are worth like a red diamond (Kudi). Now this relation will never break up.In the end jaggery is distributed to all. Colour is sprayed. Everybody greets the other with a hug. Betel leaves are eaten. The groom bows and touches the feet of all. The folk songs sung on this occasion is as follows:"{ÆS {ÆSi V V i Sføn i ÆM, E Sx ]E Ei E ÆM SE, bfø Eh lb {x PåS x, ib = Vxi < M {x xi"Meaning: The Panch-Panchayat is a court meeting of the King Bhoj. All present express gratitude towards others. We have adorned colourful turbans. We are enjoying the betel leaves; our mouths are red in colour. The Chhalia (Kaat) is from Ratangarh while the leaves are of Champagad. Leaf says, I am highly respected. Chhalia says that she is very tender in nature. I am lovingly cutting the betel nut in 4 parts. It is I who is giving red colour to your teeth. The leaf is decorated with lime, kaat, clove etc. The leaf is respected. The groom is lovingly giving us the betel leaf. This should help us in forgetting all smaller shortcomings and differences. That is what respect is all about.The guests are treated with lunch at Naiks place. The time of the marriage is decided on a starry night.Saadi TalerThe ritual of Saadi Taler is performed at the grooms house before leaving for the marriage ceremony. A Shamiyana is erected in front of the grooms house with leaves and branches of Jamun. The relatives and friends are invited. They gather in front of the house in the evening. A wooden stick (Kudi) is raised adjacent to the Shamiyana and a small water pot and a Saree is attached to it. It is said that the water pot moves in the direction of girls house automatically.Ghota GholerThe Panch of the Tanda (Daisane) prepare Bhang (Hemp) and Ganja. Both these items are praised in a song:ÆM ÆM ix ÆM, i E Jx ES E{b Ux ÆM ] x n] x E ES ], S] E V P < < ÆM ÆMMeaning: The people are preparing the Bhang with enthusiasm. The best Hemp of all is of Salatari village. It is situated near Udaipur and Hemp and Ganja are produced there in good quantity. Prepare it by rubbing and sieve it through a white cloth and drink it. You will feel like encountering with Lord Ram. The Hemp becomes wonderful when its seeds are crushed more. Every clan is given a potful of Hemp as a matter of respect like Rathod, Pawar, Chavan, and Jadhav etc. The women dance and sing throughout the night. The next day whole Tanda is treated with feast, it is called as Taler Lunch. The groom is also given gift articles. It is called as Naat Ghaler. A Kulka specially prepared on the occasion is circulated with pride. Following Doha (couplet) is presented on the occasion. < ÆM ÆM E i i < S < MVl E iE Ei i i Ei i i, {b n E l i n&J M i ib Vhi, < E iSaad Taler GeedWhen the Saadi Mandap is erected the women sing a folk song. It is called as Mandwe Dor Geed.i { E Æbb E i iih b S Eb ÆbBb fø V Meaning: My fathers happiness has no bound to see the Shamiyana in front of our home. Everywhere there is greenery and looks prosperous. You are sitting under the Shamiyana. But your lover girl must be eagerly waiting for you.Kothalo Bhar KadherThe bridegroom along with his friend Geriya and 2-3 experienced persons starts towards the place of marriage. The clothes, ornaments and other things for the bride are filled in a special way in a bag called Kothalo. The ritual is related to taking things out of the bag. Experienced and wise person is sent with the groom.The attire of the groom is special. It includes, a spear in hand, panchhathyar, Katiyar, Jambai, Kothali (having betel leaves etc.), turban, barat etc. The groom comes out of the Tanda with a drummer in the lead. A little distance ahead a piece of cloth is spread on the ground. A coin of one rupee is kept on it in the name of Guru (Nagaswamy Guru). This auspicious coin is tied to the waist of the groom. After the marriage ceremony sweets are prepared by spending the one rupee and a portion is distributed to all as part of the blessings in the Tanda. All Tanda members come out to send the groom for marriage. Women sing this song:"ZÆbx PÆb i Ei, Ei b { ] BE xE b {ÆS { ] < V BE xE"Meaning: The son is going to the marriage alone with a colourful Kothali. The Tanda blesses you. Get married right now and come back early.The women express the feelings of groom as follows:"x b xE, {{ bb V b {hx xE, ] EÆ += BE V MM {i"Meaning: The big house (haveli) has fallen silent since you left. The girls Tanda will become alive because of you. You have started for marriage and the Koel is singing the song. Your mother must be waiting for you. How I can come back alone? The relation with my mother-in-law has become more intact.After touching feet of all he returns to his mother. The mother puts her hand around his neck and cries loudly. The atmosphere in Tanda becomes serious because earlier the marriage was like an act of bravery. The brave groom had to prove himself physically and mentally at the time of the marriage. He used to go to the marriage with all the arms. All the expenses of the marriage were the responsibility of the bridegroom and he faced all the events that occurred during the ceremony. There is a famous story in history. The younger brother of Raimal, named Kanji had been killed at the time of the marriage ceremony. Raimal defeats the enemy and brings home the bride after completing the marriage ceremony. This event is recalled in every marriage ceremony. In the same way Gora-Badal indulge in a battle to protect the Queen Padmini. Badal was just 12 years old that time. He was also engaged and gets killed while fighting the enemy. This tragic incident is recalled at the time of sending the groom for marriage and tears roll down the eyes of the Tanda members.Kothalo Gharem LayerThe groom reaches the Tanda of the girl along with a leriya and 2-3 experienced persons. They halt in front of the Tanda. A message is sent and the father of the bride, brother and women of the Tanda come to the groom with water. The women sing a following song:"VÆM fø Vi, + {h i xnx VMb* b ix +x `b b i + {hå* iÆbx Jb b"Meaning: The groom has arrived in the Tanda with the drummer. He has awakened the whole Tanda. What game you are going to play? You are going to make us cry? It is good that the light is spread everywhere. Give the groom a seat. We dont have a cushion, now where should we ask the guests to seat? The foreigner has arrived in the Tanda, welcome the guest.The girls give water for drinking to the groom and welcome him and tease him through this song:"ib + b bi + xx + bi ib x Ei U? n ] M n P] M n PMb E M M< ib x + i bx Ex +"Meaning: The groom has come from far to Tanda clandestinely. How many sisters do you have? Two (of them) have gone to market; two to forest and two have ran away. You have come alone for marriage, havent you brought your mother?This way the groom comes to Tanda along with the drummer and others. First he stops at the Naiks house, takes tea and then goes to the brides house. This ritual is called as Gharem Layer i.e. Kothalo Gharem Layer. The groom
