Current context:
Sammakka-Sarakka Medaram Jathara ,a tribal festival is going to start from 21st February.
About Current context:
- it is a largest tribal festival of honouring the goddesses celebrated in the southern state of Telangana.
What is Sammakka-Sarakka Medaram Jathara?
- The Sammakka-Sarakka Medaram Jathara is a colorful and culturally rich celebration celebrated in Telangana, India.
- It is celebrated by the Koya indigenous people for four days.
Historical Context
- Mother-Daughter Saga: The festival commemorates the bravery and resilience of Sammakka and Saralamma, a mother-daughter duo who fought against oppressive rulers during a 12th-century drought.
- Unjust Law: During a challenging period, Kakatiya rulers imposed heavy taxes on the tribal community, leading Sammakka and Saralamma to resist and become symbols of resistance..
- Festival Details
- Alternate Names: The festival is also known as Medaram Jatara or Sammakka Saralamma Jatara.
- Location: The Jathara commences at Medaram, a remote village in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of the extensive Dandakaranya forest belt in Warangal district.
- Frequency: The festival is celebrated annually on the full moon day in February, typically during the month of Magha.
Rituals and Offerings:
- Devotees offer bangaram (jaggery) equal to their weight to the goddesses.
- A holy bath is taken in the Jampanna Vagu, a tributary to the river Godavari.
- State Festival: In 1996, the Andhra Pradesh government declared Medaram Jathara a state festival due to its cultural and historical significance.
The Koya Tribe
- The Koya tribe, the largest Scheduled Tribe in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, is the largest Adivasi tribe.
Habitat and Livelihood:
- The Koyas mainly practice settled cultivation, growing crops like jowar, ragi, and bajra.
- The Godavari and Sabari rivers significantly influence their economic, social, and cultural life.
Language:
- Many Koyas have adopted Telugu as their mother tongue, but some still speak the Koya dialect.
Koya Deities and Festivals
- Lord Bhima, Korra Rajulu, Mamili, Potaraju are significant deities.
- Main festivals: Vijji Pandum and Kondala Kolupu.
- Permakok ata, a colorful dance, performed during festivals and marriages.
Conclusion
Sammakka-Sarakka Medaram Jathara, a religious event, honors the legacy of Sammakka and Saralamma, highlighting the resilience and cultural heritage of Telangana’s tribal population.