Medaram Jathara Festival | 15 Feb 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned Rs 2.26 Crores for various activities pertaining to Medaram Jathara 2022.

  • Medaram Jatara is the second-largest fair of India, after the Kumbh Mela, celebrated by the second-largest Tribal Community of Telangana- the Koya tribe for four days.

What are the Key Points?

  • Medaram Jatara is also known as Sammakka Saralamma Jatara.
  • It is a tribal festival honoring the fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma, with the reigning rulers against an unjust law.
  • It is celebrated in the state of Telangana. The Jatra begins at Medaram in Tadvai Mandal in Warangal district.
    • Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in the region.
  • It is celebrated once in two years in the month of “Magha” (February) on the full moon day.
  • People offer bangaram/gold (jaggery) of a quantity equal to their weight to the goddesses and take holy bath in Jampanna Vagu, a tributary to River Godavari.
  • It was declared a State Festival in 1996.

What are the Important things about the Koya Tribe?

  • About:
    • Koya tribe is the largest adivasi tribe of Telangana and listed as Scheduled Tribe in Telangana.
    • The community is spread across Telugu speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
    • Koyas popularly call themselves as Dorala Sattam (Lords group) and Putta Dora (original lords). Koyas call themselves “Koitur” in their dialect, like Gonds.
  • Habitat and livelihood:
    • The Godavari and Sabari rivers which are flowing through their area of habitation exercise profound influence on Koyas’ economic, social and cultural life.
    • The Koyas are mainly settled cultivators. They grow Jowar, Ragi, Bajra and other millets.
  • Language:
    • Many koya People have forgotten their Koya Dialect and adopted Telugu as their mother tongue but some in other parts still speak Koya dialect.
  • Religion and festival:
    • Lord Bhima, Korra Rajulu, Mamili and Potaraju are the important deities to Koyas.
    • Their main festivals are Vijji Pandum (seeds charming festival) and Kondala Kolupu (festival to appease Hill deities).
    • Koyas perform a robust colourful dance called Permakok ata (Bison horn dance) during festivals and marriage ceremonies.

Source: PIB