Sacred Festivals of Banjaras in India- Seetla Teej and Holi

Abstract

Geographically Banjaras are spread all over the country, from North to South. The Banjaras constitute about seven per cent of the entire country’s population. They are culturally advanced; they have been relatively isolated, living on the edge of the mainstream. The Banjara community generally lives in the inaccessible hilly and forest regions and plain areas. The economy is mainly self-sufficient, unstructured and non-specialized. Their social system is a simple and more democratic way of functioning. They performed various festivals in the traditional way of doing, but three are more significant traditional festivals like seetla, Teej and Holi. Seetla is a protection festival, Teej is a fertility festival, and Holi is a seasonal fest among banjara communities. Their rituals are intended to propitiate various supernatural powers that are believed to mould the material, social and physical welfare of the community and individual.