As the searing heat sends animals scurrying to the nearest waterholes for some respite, the various tribal groups of Jharkhand gear up for an ancient ritual that affirms their masculinity and signifies maturity.
This is the Bishu Shikar or Sendra, the annual hunting festival. This year’s edition was held on May 6 and concluded on Tuesday in the forests of Dalma, Naranbeda, Vankari, Araburu, Dobraburu, Ayodhya hills etc.; with most tribes like Munda, Santhal, Ho, Bhumij, Oraon and Kharia taking part.
Besides testing tribal hunting techniques and forest survival skills, Sendra also represents a rite of passage for tribal youth. “Regarding Bishu Sendra or Ajodhia, there is a common Santhal saying that ‘Kora gidra Hueakate jahae Ajodhia Sendra bae cholao kolena, unido engat kukhirega’; i.e., if a male tribal has not attended a single hunt since his birth, he is as good as still in his mother's womb,” says Dr. Naba Kumar Dooary, a social-anthropologist. “. It is hence an important ritual that signifies manhood; and able male tribals try to participate in it every year or at least once in their lifetime,” he adds.
Even seasoned hunters have to follow a distinctive set of rites before, during and after the hunt; indicating the tribes’ intrinsic bond with nature. A fortnight before, the tribes’ hunting council -- comprising Dihiri (headman), Gaonta ( important villagers and Sendra pargana (head) -- declares the rules and date of the Sendra. According to Nagnath Munda, an aged Gaonta, "A lot of mental and material preparation precedes the departure to the forest. We worship ancestors and seek their blessings for a safe hunt. Traditional weapons such as Aak(bow), sar(arrow), kapi tabbla(battle axe), budia (axe) barlaam(spear) and musical instruments like Tamak (cattle drum), dhak, charchari, regra, sakwa (bugle of bison horn), tiriya, banam etc., are taken to the foot of the hill.
After a small worship here, the hunters proceed in parties to a part of the forest already earmarked for the Sendra and not beyond it. The parties return at dusk and the night is spent in feasting and musical revelry, before returning next morning.”
Meanwhile, the women also have to adhere to some strict and emotionally painful rituals in their husbands’ absence. “In olden times, Sendra was considered very dangerous for participants due to the possibility of encountering big wild animals. Hence married men carry the iron bangles of their wives with them into the forest, and morally allow them to remarry if they do not return.
Meanwhile till their husbands return, the wives do not comb their hair, or wash their clothes; embracing a sort of voluntary widowhood,” states Dooary.
And since waiting is tough on the family, a divining custom attempts to predict the hunt’s result. “Family members place a small brass lota (pot) of water at the ancestors’ altar; and the water level is carefully observed by the woman till her husband's return. If the water-level drops or the water’s surface is covered with dust, it signifies a bad omen i.e. injury or death,” reveals Munda, adding,
“Before leaving, the men collect wild flowers, especially champaca, and on reaching home they give the flowers to their wives as a sign of regeneration. The wife keeps the flowers at the ancestor altar.”
Given the machismo connotations of hunting, disputes over game often arise. These are settled by the council; and in extreme cases, Kalka, an invocation of the Supreme Being Dharam is performed. This, however, is a last resort when the game is claimed by more than two hunting parties.
With passage of time and spread of education, the Sendra has gradually transformed. “Very few actually kill animals now. Also, traditionally, the hunter has to remain barefoot, but now most young people come with shoes on,” said Chhotte Hembrom, a member of Dalma Buru Sendra Samiti.
And since hunting is banned in the sanctuary, their idea of ‘trophy’ has also changed. Says a forest official, “Due to our efforts at awareness generation and extra vigilance, except some deviants, most are content to worship and then engage in the various contests in archery, weaponry, etc., that we hold, and win the cock or goat prize.”