Adivasis In Jharkhand Celebrate ‘Nature’ Through Sarhul; Recognition Of Sarna A Bonus  

As we approach the age of Anthropocene, Adivasis in different parts of India continue celebrating its relation with nature with much gusto and flavour. The Adivasis in Jharkhand celebrate Sarhul every year, but this time it seems more assertive- rightfully claiming the public sites and spaces.

Last year, the Hemant Soren government passed the Sarna Code bill paving the way for the recognition of Adivasis as a separate religion- ‘Sarna’. Though the bill is still pending with the Centre and hardly there is any clarity on whether Sarna will be given a separate column in the upcoming census, the celebration of identity can’t be missed.  

Karma Oraon, one of the senior Adivasi leaders while talking to Outlook says, “The passing of Sarna code was a matter of identity. The conversions to Christianity, Hinduism and Islam have been going on for long. Recognition of Sarna has doubled our joy.”  

Known as ‘Sarna Dharma Guru’, Bandhan Tigga says, “People wanted to suppress our identity. But the passing of the Sarna code bill by Jharkhand and West Bengal has strengthened us. This time Sarhul is all about sharing happiness with the people.”  

When the world is confronting and taking resolutions to save nature, Adivasis have an answer to the crisis. “Sarhul is much more important for us as human civilisation is destroying nature. New diseases are coming, and the share of carbon dioxide in the air is growing. At this time, saving nature is our responsibility. And for us nature is like breathing,” adds the leader of Sarna, considered to be one of the earliest religions in the world.

Sarhul in Jharkhand is known as the worship of Sal trees. It takes its name from two words – ‘Sar’ which comes from ‘Sarai’ meaning the seeds of the Sal tree, and ‘Hul’ which means worship. Mostly Munda, Oraon, Ho and Santhals celebrate this festival. Though there are differences in rituals, the essence lies in what Tigga calls, the “philosophy of life that is connected to nature.” 

It is performed under the Sal tree at the designated place known as Sarnasthal or Jaher which is believed to be the abode of the presiding deity of the village. Sal is considered to be a sacred part of the ritual as it gives Adivasis firewood and shelter besides saving them from the bad weather. 

“Sarhul is the celebration of the new year. It welcomes the spring that brings prosperity to the land,” says Oraon. The villagers on this occasion gather at the Jaher and place offerings like paddy, fruits and vegetables under the Sal tree. Pahan, the village priest then worships Nature where the “mantras of human welfare are chanted,” Oraon adds. Roosters of three different colours are also sacrificed to their gods.  

“Firstly, one white hen is sacrificed to Singbonga or the Almighty God. The second one is a brown one and is sacrificed in the name of the Sarna goddess to protect the village from any disease or misfortune. The third one is a grey hen, sacrificed to safeguard the forest products,” says the Adivasi scholar.  

After the rituals are over people sing and dance along with playing the traditional drums known as Dhol, Nagada and Turhi. The offerings are then consumed by the villagers as prasad alongside rice beer, commonly known as Handia in local parlance.  

However, one of the most important constituents of the Sarhul puja is the ritual of filling pots as it is connected to the speculation of the impending future. A day before Sarhul, the Pahan fills water in three clay pots and places it at the Sarnasthal. The next day, if the water level decreases, people consider it as an omen. 

Oraon explains, “The decrease in the water level signifies a lack of rain. But, if it remains the same, people foresee rain-fed harvest season.” This water is distributed among the villagers besides Sal flowers that are kept on their roofs. These flowers symbolise the brotherhood among the community people.  

Sarhul nevertheless has several folklore attached to it. One of the legends talks about how a son of a widow killed a demon namely Sarem Boodhi with simple weapons like sticks. For this reason, Sarhul sometimes is also called Khaddar GahiKhaddi, or the festival of the kids. As the news of this boy’s victory, mythologically, had spread slowly across different villages, the celebrations were also taken place at different times. Thus, Sarhul is celebrated in different days of spring across regions.  

After gaps of three years due to Covid, the Sarhul procession will again hit the streets of Ranchi- claiming the Savarna public space. The energies and human spirit of Sarhul could be found in one of the poems of an Adivasi poet: 

"It is the season of flowering 

We celebrate the fragrance 

Pray to God spread out 

The fragrance tranquillity, concord, amity 

Everywhere for the pursuit of humanity!"