Hi steemians,
To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim
by Martin Luther King
India one of the most diverse country of the world and that even some scholar’s find it surprising to see India as such a unified and peaceful country(but it stands straight). In my this entry for #AboutMyCulture Challenge, topic which I am about share my views is:
Festivals of Koli People, The native fisher folk of Mumbai from India: Narali Poornima
Introduction:
The Koli community is an ethnic group found throughout India. Kolis are found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and rest of India. They are also one of the original inhabitants of Greater Mumbai most people are fisherman, as in Mumbai and Maharashtra. The Kolis-fisher folk-of Mumbai are a distinct community. In their dress, their language, their food and their lifestyle they are easily distinguishable.
In nineteenth century, many Koli people were engaged in works at textile mills in Bombay under British administration. The word Coolie in English language, has been derived from the name of this community at that time.
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Language:
Agri is the language spoken by Kolis in Mumbai. It is a mixture of Marathi, Sanskrit, Hindi, English and Kannada language. The agri language is a unique language, pleasant to hear and feels humors.
Traditional Costume:
The women wear the Nauvari (nine yaard saree) and the men are draped in a square loin cloth, called a surkha, and shirt with a cap. The lower end of the cloth is tightly drawn through the legs and knotted at the back so as to cover the buttocks.
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DIETIES: EKVEERA:-
Kolis from around Mumbai worship the goddess Ekveera situated at the Karla caves, Malavli, Lonavla. This goddess is worshipped the most on Chaitra Purnima .
KOLI FESTIVAL: Narali punaw
Narali punaw:- This is “The day” for kolis. As per traditions koli’s know that after this day the wind strength and direction changes in favor of fishing. This is the day when kolis celebrate the kick-off of new business season.
Narali Poornima marks the end of monsoon season in Maharashtra. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan. The festival also marks the beginning of the new fishing season. So, fishermen appease the sea-god before sailing out over the mighty sea. They worship for a safe fishing.
The coconuts are offered to the sea as these are considered to be the most holy offerings which can be presented to the Gods during almost all the Hindu festivals. The reason that coconut is considered auspicious is because the coconut water and the kernel inside the outer shell of the coconut are believed to be unadulterated and pure. It is also believed that since a coconut possesses three eyes, it depicts three eyed God Lord Shiva.
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Significance of Narali Pournima
Narali Pournima marks the beginning of the fishing season and end of monsoon in Maharashtra. Thus, to appease the Sea and Rain Gods, fishermen celebrate this festival before sailing out in the mighty sea.
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Koli do not do fishing in the season of monsoon because:
- The period prior to the Shravan month's full moon day is the mating period for fishes. So fisher folk do not go for fishing in this period. They do not want to kill the mating fish, since otherwise, there will be no further fish production which will subsequently affect their livelihood.
- Also since monsoons are prevalent during that time, then going on the sea is not a safe for fishing in this period. In this period, fish is not eaten. This observance of not eating the fish is ended on Narali Pournima by throwing a coconut in the sea during the high tide. So, they celebrate this festival to initiate the fishing again by worshipping the sea and Sea God.
On the day of Narali Pournima, fishermen get their boats repaired and decorate them with flower garlands and colourful embellishments and prepare coconut based food items like coconut rice and karanjis etc. Just before the arrival of high tide, they stand before the sea with their women folk in traditional attire and gold jewellery. They sing and dance to the traditional folk songs with gaiety and throw their coconuts as far as possible in to the sea.
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The main attractions of this festival are singing and dancing and the meal of the day is sweet coconut rice.
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The koli community has its own distinct identity and lively dances. The dance incorporates elements that this community is most familiar with - sea and fishing. The dance is performed by both men and women divided into two groups, where fishers stand in two rows holding oars in their hands. The dancers move in unison, portraying the movement of the rowing of a boat.
How I am connected to Koli people and this Festival:
I am not native from Mumbai, I am in Mumbai due to prospect of my work. From about three years I am dwelling in versova village, in suburbs of Mumbai. I know many people of this community and I am always a part of Koli festivals as well as marriages. What I like about this festival Narali Poornima is that how much Koli people are aware and care about nature . They always work in sustainable ways and know importance of natural resources. Even many people with modern studies never understand that resources need to be used in sustainable ways and exploit nature. Koli people know if they fish in monsoon also fishes population will get exhausted as no fishes will be left for reproduction coming year. There respect for sea and monsoon also fascinates me. Also women of this community are really very empowered and economically independent. In all Koli people are very straight forward and have great hospitably.
Thanks
Innocent abroad