Pawra culture and simplicity on the banks of the Narmada

Doesn't our Nemade Baba say,

May how noble simplicity can be not be destroyed in the wave of modernity. Why shouldn't one's own body be a home to avoid outside touch, like a snail. Andamanese, Nicobarese, Bhil, Gond, Ladakhi, Tibetan, how are these thousands of tribes backward? Until there is someone to look down upon, there is no inferiority. Who and on what basis decided that only those who exploit are advanced?

The Pawra Adivasi tribe living in the Narmada valley is one such tribe with profound social consciousness. On the occasion of a youth dialogue camp, it was possible to talk to these people on the banks of the Narmada. It was possible to understand their way of living.

Praveen's father fed rice and fish curry to as many as 30 people like us on the banks of the Narmada. When asked if they take alcohol, Dada says, "Standing on the bank of the Narmada, I will not tell a lie. I am an Adivasi, I certainly take it during festivals, but I know my limits."

Such are these people. The Narmada is a standard for them. Just like a mother. The Satpuda like a father. Their culture and way of living would put the so-called advanced society to shame. There is no temple of any kind in their villages. There is no household shrine in their houses. Their gods reside under a tree. A log of wood is buried in the house, and that very log is the shrine for them and that tree is the temple for them. And then no single person is the owner of this temple. Any worship here will be a collective worship and the whole village will join in it.

When asked why there is no temple in your village? Then their reply was, we don't want to make capital out of our faith. We don't want to make money in the name of god. If there is so much maturity regarding god and temples, then where do you light incense sticks for Bageshwar and Mishra. No one can fool them in the name of religion.

These people who worship nature, all their festivals are based on nature and the wonders of nature. When new leaves sprout on trees, Nivati worship takes place. Bagdev worship takes place so that we and our family are protected from the animals in the forest. When new grain blossoms, Nawai is worshipped. Such are their festivals and based on them are their rules too. Meaning until the Nivati worship is done, even a small child in the house will not touch any new leaf or even the stalk of a leaf. The use of new grain will not start without worshipping Nawai, everything is like that.

It is said that nowadays it has become difficult to find girls for marriage. In Haryana, they say girls are bought from outside states for marriage. And in Kerala, they say the number of girls is more than boys. What, they say Kerala is an advanced state. Oh, why do you tell stories of Haryana and Kerala. This Adivasi tribe in the Narmada valley in this area near the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Neither did they ever have the time when girls had to be brought from outside as bought for marriage, nor was there any rush to declare themselves advanced like Kerala because there are more girls than boys. Looking at the notions of equality and egalitarianism present among them, people like us sometimes get confused whether there is a patriarchal system here or a matriarchal one. And despite having such a thing, they neither have pride in it, nor are they even aware of it.

Seeing all this, Kabir automatically comes to my mind,

"Jaati na poochho sadhu ki, poochh lijiye gyan. Mol karo talwar ka, pada rahan do myan."

~ Saint Kabir