Hundreds gather at Dalma hills for Sendra festival, traditional rituals performed

Jamshedpur: Responding to a call issued by the Dalma Buru Sendra Committee, members of the tribal community assembled in large numbers at the Dalma Hills to celebrate the traditional Sendra festival on Monday.

Rituals performed ahead of the hunt

On Sunday, preparations began with elaborate ceremonies led by Dalma King Rakesh Hembram near Phadlogora village in the foothills. Special prayers were offered to forest deities, invoking their blessings for the community hunt. Traditional weapons such as bows and arrows, spears, and lances were also worshipped as part of the ritual practices.

The Dalma King prayed for the safety of the Sendra warriors, expressing hope that they would return unharmed after spending the day in the dense forest. He also offered prayers for timely rainfall and a prosperous harvest season. Key representatives of the traditional tribal governance system, including the Pargana, Paranik, Godet, Nayke, Manki, Munda, and Doklo-Sohor, were present during the ceremony.

Parallel ceremonies in nearby villages

A separate group led by Fakir Soren conducted similar rituals in Jamdih village. Villagers from nearby areas such as Asanbani and Jamdih participated actively in the Sendra preparations, reflecting widespread community involvement.

Large turnout of Sendra warriors

Hundreds of Sendra warriors began arriving early on Sunday from across the Kolhan region, as well as neighbouring states like Odisha and West Bengal. Due to the intense heat, many participants reached the foothills early in the morning using motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles.

Temporary camps were set up under trees across several villages, including Haludbani, Phadlogora, Asanbani, Jamdih, Mirjadih, and Bonta. The warriors are scheduled to ascend the hills before sunrise on Monday and return by afternoon after completing the ritual hunt.

Security arrangements and coordination

According to Rakesh Hembram, no incidents of harassment were reported at the checkpoints set up along routes leading to the hills. These checkpoints have been established to prevent entry into the forest with prohibited items such as traps, snares, and firearms.

He added that discussions had been held earlier with forest officials to ensure that traditional practices continue without violating regulations.

Unique tradition of sharing with dogs

An important aspect of the Sendra tradition is the inclusion of hunting dogs. Participants take their pet dogs along during the hunt, and any meat obtained is divided equally among all members, including the dog. The share allocated to the dog is then handed over to its owner, symbolising the animal’s role in the hunting process.

Cultural significance remains strong

The Sendra festival continues to hold deep cultural importance for the tribal community. It reflects their strong connection with nature, traditional governance systems, and collective identity, while reinforcing age-old customs that have been preserved over generations.