Telangana: Tribal woman drinks two kgs of sesame oil to prove her purity

Come Pushya or Poos, a sacred month of Hindu calendar year, ethnic tribes ceremoniously worship their deity Khamdev during the five-day long fair known as Khamdev Jatara

Adilabad: Traditions of aboriginal tribals are always unique when compared to that of people residing in plains and urban parts. In a distinctive custom believed to be practiced since ages, women belonging to the Thodasam clan of Raj Gond tribe undergo a ‘test’ of consuming two kilograms of sesame oil for proving their purity, well-being of her brothers for the sake of farmers every year.

Come Pushya or Poos, a sacred month of Hindu calendar year, ethnic tribes ceremoniously worship their deity Khamdev during the five-day long fair known as Khamdev Jatara. They congregate on the premises of the shrine of the goddess. They perform special prayers. A woman, paternal sister of Thodasam clan should have to drink two kilograms of oil extracted from sesame grains through cold pressed method for thrice.

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As part of the rituals of the annual religious affair, Madavi Ethnabai easily drank the oil in presence of elders of the clan and locals at Narnoor mandal centre on Friday. She has already done the feat last year. She will be replaced by another paternal sister of Thodasam clan once she completes her last turn next year. This cycle goes on as the tribals give paramount importance to follow their ancient traditions.

Thodasam Nagorao, an elder of the clan from Mankapur village, told ‘Telangana Today’ that the clan had been performing the ritual titled Neyunval Khaiyida since ancient times. “The women need to drink the oil to prove their purity on the lines of Seeta undergoing a fire ordeal as depicted in Ramayana. Their act is also meant for the well-being of their brothers and for prosperity of farmers,” he reasoned.

The elder stated that the women who take part in the test would not develop any complications after consuming the oil. “The participants neither had health issues nor digestion problems so far. They have to take part in it before 9 am on that day of the task, They can take up regular household or farm activities and follow their usual diet for the rest of the day,” he claimed.

Important religious affair of Thodasam clan

According to aboriginal tribals, Khamdev Jatara is an important religious affair of members of Thodasam clan. The members belonging to not only several parts of the district, but neighboring Maharashtra, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh gather on the premises of the shrine year with much gaiety and pomp. They arrive at the holy place travelling by bullock carts. They camp under temporary tents for five days.

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