TRIBAL RELIGION IN KARNATAKA Tribal communities constitute about seven percent of the total population of India. These communities have variety and complexity in the belief systems as well as religious practices. Even these religions have historical antecedents which are documented in their oral epics and songs. Tribal communities too have their legends about the birth and meaning of the universe. According to a scholar, tribal people believe that “The ultimate purpose of life is the creation of a meaningful order through imitation of the celestial model transmitted by myths and celebrated in rituals.” (Kitagawa, Joseph M., 1968) Karnataka has a sizable population of tribal people. There are 34.64 lakhs tribals distributed in various regions of Karnataka as per 2001 census. Raichur and Bellary contain large number of tribal communities. Toda, Beda, Soliga, Hakki-Pikki, Konda Kapu, Koraga, Bhils, Chenchu, gonds, mAlEru, baDaga, hasala, mEda, iruLiga, jEnu kuruba, erava and siddis are some important tribes of Karnataka. All of them profess some religious beliefs and practice many rituals. A series of monographs published by Karnataka Sahitya Academy under the stewardship of Baraguru Ramachandrappa provide ample information about these tribes. tribal religions and rituals are under constant pressure from the major organized religions. Some of this pressure is imposed delibrately and the rest is a consequence of exposure to the forces of modernization. In general, the tribes that remain geographically isolated are able to retain their traditional cultures and religions longer. On the other hand communities that are either nomadic or live in the periphery of civilized life are prone for drastic changes. Most of the tribal beliefs and rituals are highly localized and they are not influenced by the major religions. Attempts to influence them are foiled by changing the very fabric of the legends and stories to suit the tribal world. Consequently one finds tribal versions of Ramayana and Mahabharata scattered all over the country. Most of the tribal communities in Karnataka worship their own deities in addition to the the Gods imposed from the main stream religions. Some of these dieties and corresponding communities are listed below. kADu kuruba bomma, muddappa, mUgappAji, mAramma, kUDagi tAta kADu golla junjappa, kyAtappa, pAtappa, siriyaNNa gonDa muDi kamba, mAsti bIra, yakshi, cauDi, nAga. gauLiga KanDOba, viTOba and bairOba. male kuDiya bAIRAVA, paNDava, BUtas mukari vIraBadra, jaTiga, mAsti amma and venkaTaramaNa sOliga biLigiriranga, male mAdEshvara, jaDesvAmi hAlakki okkaliga huli dEvaru, shiva and nAga. Many a time a time tribal customs and rituals are appropriated by the established religion and what emerges is a civilized version of tribal practices. Many Gods now worshipped by one and all were once the exclusive property of the tribals. The attitude of tribal communities towards nature is now perceived as eco friendly and regarded highly. Many tribes worship tribal deities as well as the Gods of the Hindu pantheon. For instance Kadugollas who worship gods such as Junjappa, Yattappa, Patappa, and Cittappa, are equally devoted to Siva, who is a part of their festivals and religious observances. Cult heroes from the past are also raised to the level of Gods and worshipped accordingly. Bedanayakas (bEDa nAyaka) of Karnataka, worship Papanayaka, a deity supposed to have lived 300-400 years ago, as a holy man among them. He is attributed miraculous powers. Siddi community of North Canara which migrated to Karnataka from Africa has shed most of its original beliefs and adopted other religions. Now there are siddis belonging to Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 08:36:10 +0000
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