Indus Valley Times

 BY AKSHYA ROUT

JAJPUR, DEC 2:hundreds of  Santhal  tribals of Sukinda block in Jajpur district on Sunday  to welcome winter season  by organizing dance. Hundreds of tribals including females also danced to the tune of Changu a tribal drum in the tribal dominated villages of the district.

Many  tribals sacrificed cocks and forced cattle to trample eggs of hens with a believe  to live better in the coming winter season . Many tribals also poured Handia a local tribal brew over the head of the

tribal deities.

Tribals celebrate all the seasons by organizing festivals. “ The winter festival is an important festival for tribals as they pray before the deity for their good health in the winter. Large numbers of tribals never use any warm clothes in the winter for which they need fire , Handia a country liquor  and  coals to keep them warm in the winter. In this festival many tribals drank Handia, said  Ramu Hansada

of Kaliapani village.

It was a beautiful day in the tribal villages for a beautiful festival to welcome the winter season.  Other tribal members from around the district  were also on hand to celebrate this festival.

Santhals  played an important cultural and  historical roles in the state. Sukinda MLA Pritiranjan  Ghadei were present On this occasion and dance with traval Ghadai also highlighted various steps undertaken by the Naveen Patnaik Government for the betterment of the poor tribal It was a celebration organized by  the tribes, without other government or civic sanction,,  among others  sukinda block chairperson  Padmabati jena ,Vise chairman Dibyaranjan baral were present on this occasion .