Adivasi community celebrates Karam Festival in Kohima

DIMAPUR — The Adivasi community in Kohima marked the Karam Festival on the theme “Celebrating cultural identity” at SFS Community Hall in Para Medical, Kohima, on September 28.

The Eucharist was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Manohar Dung Dun, SDB, parish priest of St. Maria Goretti, Zubza, and concelebrated by Rev. Fathers Paulus Kerketa, SDB, vice rector of Christ King Parish, and Rev. Fr. C. Joseph, counsellor at St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Jakhama.

According to an update, Rev. sisters, along with a large number of people, joined the celebration, which featured cultural dances and speeches.

It said that the Karam Festival, one of the most popular festivals of the Adivasi people, is associated with harvest and is a tribute to the Karam tree. The tree symbolises fertility, prosperity and auspiciousness.

Also read: Naga Scholars Association hosts online panel on circulation and perceptions of Naga food

During the festival, Karma dancers carry a branch of the Karam tree while singing and dancing. The branch, smeared with milk and rice beer, is raised in the middle of the spot where the group performs.

At the same time, unmarried tribal girls observed the Jawa festival with traditional songs and dances. The celebration is held in expectation of good fertility and household prosperity. The girls decorated small baskets with germinating seeds in the belief that worship for good germination would increase fertility.