SUME-GELIRAK
Celebrated By : Bonda Tribe of Koraput
The 'Bondas' of Koraput are an interesting primitive tribe.
They live on hilltops and lead a secluded life. Their interaction with
other tribes is very rare. Among many festivals of the year, the most
important festival for them is known as "Sume-Gelirak".
Main Ritual
All the year young men and women look forward to the festival as it gives
them ample freedom in all respects. The festival starts on a Sunday and
continue for ten days. During the first few days they worship their
traditional Godlings and demons as well. The 'Sisa' or the tribal priest
does the rituals of sacrificing animals and birds and propitiating the
deities with liquor. Then amusement through dancing and singing begins
with full vigour. Young men and women make dancing expeditions to
neighbouring villages and during the dance choose their life partners.
But the most serious and dramatic part of the festival is castigation. It
begins first with little boys. Some one takes up the drum and beats it
loudly and others join with him. The boys stand in pairs, front to front,
and strike each other as hard as they can with pliant branches of a tree
stripped off its foliage. When they had enough of it, they salute each
other and embrace, and another pair takes their place.
When all the boys of the village complete this piquant exercise, the Sisa
gives them cakes to stop all quarrels and delivers a little lecture of
friendship and good behaviour. The following evening this castigation is
repeated with young men and even the old. They bow each other with folded
hands and start dancing to the frantic beats of the drums and then hitting
hard with the branches. Blood flows from their wounds and watching the
situation the Sisa stops them. Then they touch each others feet and
embrace hugging and lifting the other in the air.
