Traditional weapons worship on May 18, Sendra Festival on May 19 in Jamshedpur

Dalma Buru Sendra Samiti prepares for Sendra Festival

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, May 10: The Dalma Buru Sendra Samity convened at Tiu Bhawan, Karandih, Jamshedpur, on Friday to discuss arrangements for the upcoming Sendra festival. Led by Dalma Raja, it was decided to celebrate the festival on May 19th, aiming to uphold the cherished traditions of the tribals.

Dalma Raja, Rakesh Hembram, emphasized the importance of preserving tribal customs and outlined various guidelines for the Sendra warriors participating in the festival. It was announced that on May 18th, villagers would perform rituals to worship their traditional weapons at their homes as part of the prelude to the festival.

The celebration of Sendra will prioritize the safety of forests and wildlife. Noteworthy changes this year include each Sendra Veer carrying a sapling to plant in the forest, symbolizing their commitment to environmental conservation. Additionally, Sendra Veers will refrain from displaying their weapons en route to the forest, ensuring a peaceful and harmonious approach. The committee has sought cooperation from the police and administration to facilitate this process and prevent any untoward incidents.

Explaining the significance of the Sendra tradition, it occurs annually in May, where men venture into the forests to gather herbs and medicinal plants for the well-being of their families. Prior to their departure, they perform puja at home in traditional attire, seeking blessings for a safe journey. Armed with bows, arrows, and other traditional tools, they set out to collect wild produce, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of traditional musical instruments like Dhamsa, Charchari, Jhumar, and Sakua.

The festival serves as a convergence point for tribal communities from Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, who gather to worship their local deity Sinhabonga, offer sacrifices, and seek divine protection for their endeavors. Dalma Raja urged the police administration to ensure the safety of Sendra warriors and prevent any interference with their traditional weapons, pledging intervention if necessary.