Adivasis celebrate Sankranti with unique traditions

Visakhapatnam:Adivasis of ASR and Parvathipuram Manyam districts have a unique way of celebrating Makara Sankranti, the harvest festival of the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Unlike the people in plain areas, the Adivasis, despite their low income, express their love for animals and forests, which sustain them and strengthen their community bonds.

They begin the Bhogi festival in the evening, instead of the early morning, by lighting a bonfire. Men and women perform the Dhimsa dance throughout the night until the next day, consuming homemade liquor that keeps their spirits high and energetic.

On Sankranti day, they perform puja by decorating Adda Kaya (Bauhinia vahlii) along the roads to their villages. Throughout the day, they greet each other and enjoy their traditional dishes.

While people in plain areas consume non-vegetarian dishes on Kanuma, the Adivasis prepare Pulagam using the first harvest of paddy for the season. They feed this dish to their animals, including cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and other domesticated animals.

"Mixing dry fish in Pulagam is mandatory for all Adivasi sects," said well-known Adivasi activist Rama Rao Dora. He explained that, after Kanuma, people select a convenient day to organize a mass feast in every village, marking the end of the festival. Sankranti is celebrated over the course of a month, with different regions observing a week of activities. Adivasis, unlike people in plain areas, do not follow auspicious timings, he added.

Another activist, Rajababu from Chintapalle, noted that Adivasis living near plain areas or towns like Narsipatnam follow more conventional practices influenced by urban culture. "We pray and feed animals and offer special pujas to the forest goddesses to mark the Sankranti festival, avoiding extravagant activities," Rajababu said.

Meanwhile, a festive atmosphere prevailed across the state, beginning with Bhogi on Monday. Makara Sankranti marks the transition from winter to summer and signifies the Sun's journey toward the Equinox, known as Uttarayanam.

Makara Sankranti brings every corner of Andhra Pradesh alive with colorful and grand celebrations. It not only fosters communal bonds but also allows friends and families to reconnect amidst their hectic lives.