Under the museum series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a traditional object is displayed in the appearance for a whole month.
The exhibit for the month of December- ‘Dhaga–Bana’ is on display in the indoor exhibition building– Veethi Sankul. The 'exhibit of the month' has been formally inaugurated by Director, IGRMS, Prof Sarit Kumar Chaudhuri. This 'exhibit of the month' has been compiled by Preetam Choudhary (Museum Assistant).
Dhaga–Bana is a traditional ornament used by the male members of Ahir community of Mandla and Dindori districts of Madhya Pradesh. The ornament is divided into two main parts Dhaga and Bana is used to decorate the upper part of the body and Bana is adorned in the lower part.
The Ahirs are mainly the cattle herders widely spread in Bihar, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and in Eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh. Marking their origin from Yadu vansh the Ahirs are also known as Gwala, Gwali, Golkar, Gwalin, Rawat, Gahara and Mahakul (Russel and Hiralal, 1975). The Present exhibit is an ornament used by the Ahirs as a mark of their cultural identity during ritual ceremonies and festivals.
Dhaga-Bana is especially used by the male members to show their divinity to their Goddess Devi Gango gangain dai and God Khila Muthua dev. During the period from Dipawali till the Full Moon, they go to every house of village to awaken their Gods and Goddesses. On the eve of Madhai festival of Central India, the Ahir males perform dance by wearing Dhaga-Bana along with Painjana (Anklets) on legs, Nakchhunda (Head gear) on head, Bhaota on Arms, Konhchi (Wristlets) in the wrist and a lohangi (a prop) in one hand.
The dance is accompanied with the rhythmic flow of musical instruments like Timki, Mandal, Tathiya and Bansuri. The Madhai festival is not considered to be successful unless the Ahir participate in the performance of Chandi (a festival of the Gond community) by adorning Dhaga-Bana.