Adilabad: The Adivasis observe the typical “Shivabodi” event to ward off evil forces and for the protection of their villages and people from seasonal diseases which were prevalent in the rainy season. The Adivasis even today appease evil forces with sacrificing goats and chicken to get rid off from their effects.
To get rid off ill-effects of witchcraft, Adivasis offer goat, chicken to the evil forces on the outskirts of the village and prevent them from entering the village.
Adivasis hang the chicken and goats along with the discarded basket and other damaged items to the trees on the outskirts of their villages. Adivasis perform Shivabodi event in all gudems.
Adivasis stuff the goat with the leaves and give a shape like a goat after skinning and taking the meat out of it and hang the goat to the tree along with the discarded material.
“The Adivasis think that the diseases were due to evil forces and witchcraft but not due to poor sanitation, drinking contaminated water and lack of immunity power,” said Adivasi leader Bujangarao.
