A Muria Tribal Ghotul is a Modern Day Gurukul

Numerous researches by eligible anthropologists as well as numerous fly by journalists have published articles trying to present their views, some authentic while some are great imaginations, on the Muria tribal lifestyles especially their culture revolving around ghotul.

Anthropologists like Verrier Elwin have dug deep into the history & the making of the ghotul, which occupies a central portion of the daily activities in the tribal communities of the Muria tribes of Chattisgarh. Subsequently numerous research papers like that of Simeran Man Singh, have vindicated such earlier researches & even added flavors of it’s adaptation to the changing cultures of cultures surrounding the Chattisgarh region.

A couple of years back I came across a personal narrative of the Ghotul by the founder of a Chattisgarh based non-profit tribal welfare foundation. This article is a compilation of some of the quotes from the article related to the origin & constitution of the Muria tribal Ghotul. A subsequent article will discuss the various customs prevalent in such Ghotuls.

According to some folklores, the ghotul was built by the Muria tribal people as a tribute to Lord Linga Deva (an adaptation of a form of Lord Shiva). Linga Dev is believed to be a great musician, singer, dancer, healer and a leader. It is believed that Linga Deva himself stated the custom of the Ghotul, where he imparted valuable teaching to the Muriya children under a Semal tree. This was the auspicious beginning of the Ghotul in the Muriya communities (Kangali, Motiram, 1986).

Another story says that Linga Deva is the youngest of seven brothers. The brothers were living together but after marriage of his elder brother disputes arose. Linga Deva went ahead & built a separate house for the remaining unmarried brothers, which he called the Dinda Mahal, which means “home for bachelors and spinsters”. Hence, Dinda Mahal is called as Ghotul at past and it is continuing at present.

A more contemporary opinion is that the Ghotul was started by the tribes that lived in the wild, as a learning centre for the young. The ghotul became a center of learning as well as socialization within the tribal folks. The ghotul assured the parents to keep an eye on their children while they were working & also prompted more marriages with eligible families related to the ghotul.

These were the pods of learning where the young tribals were taught not only about daily life but the art of hospitality, friendship and the importance of preserving a community. The coeducational living was an integral part of finding the right partner for marriage.

The ghotul served the tribal communities right. While traditionally it is perfectly acceptable for a young man and woman to choose a life partner for themselves, the ghotul gave the younger members of the tribe a fair choice of experiencing single and emotional relationships. On the other hand, it was a great way of keeping wild animals at bay, as the Ghotul occupants danced and sang late into the night, with the noise keeping the wild animals away and the older generation could sleep without fear of attacks.

This custom follows even to this day. The Ghotul is occupied with bachelors & spinsters after they finish their respective household chores & dinner. The evening is spent in merriment with tribal music, dances & herbal beverages or drinks. The members spend their night sleeping in the Ghotul, leaving the next morning again for their respective homes to do their chores.

Though the modern day challenges of livelihood & encroachment of non-tribal cultures into their land has eroded some of the spirit of the Ghotul, in many Muria tribal communities the rituals of their age old Ghotul is still seen to be observed actively.

The organization of the Ghotul is very structured & methodical. There are different members, each performing specific roles like Sirdar, Jhariya, Mushwan, Diwan, Kotwar and Chalan, Jamadar, Chalki, Sipahi, Vaidya, Diwan or Mukhwan, Raniya, Sarguti and Chelik.

The chief of the Ghotul is very honorable person. He is known as Sardar/Sirdar or Mukhiya. The selection of the head is done by the opinion of Ghotul’s members during Karapandum festival and Karadangal Pooja. A single person can be chosen many times for this position. Opinion of the Sardar is superior and meant as equal to God. No one can do any work without his permission. Sardar distributes work to the Ghotul’s members.

The work of Jhariya is to clean the Ghotul and make it tidy as well as to collect fire wood for burning wood.

The Muswan is the decorator of the Ghotul who paints the wall and draw picture. They draw it with white mud or khadiya. The pictures drawn on the wall are mainly birds, mountains, flowers and other animals.

Diwan has special work to look after the younger Ghotul members. He controls and watches the activities of the younger members of the Ghotul. They are the most intelligent member and inspect the works of its members. They give them appropriate advice and bring improvements in them.

The attendance of every participants of Ghotul is kept by the Kotwar. If the Kotwar finds any member absent in the Ghotul, he takes all the information about the absentee and reports to the Sardar.

The Jamadar watches that no girl can come to Ghotul without her comb.

The distribution of tobacco to all the members of Ghotul and organising festivals from time to time is done by the Chalki. The Sipahi takes care the crops and prevents criminal activities in the community.

The Vaidya treats the ill or injured members of Ghotul with traditional herbal medicines. Many times he also heals with magic mantras and tantras & it is believed that he can save the sick against ghosts or evil spirits.

Few girls of Ghotul are given the post of queen (Raniya). Their work is to keep the Ghotul cleane, decorated and make leaf bowls which they use as utensils for meals. Every girl of Ghotul is called Sarguti (Saheli). Each Sarguti can share their feelings and emotions with other Sarguti. Motiyari is another name of the participatory girls in the Ghotul and the boys is known as Chelik.

The subsequent article will be on the various customs followed in the Ghotul. The featured image is credited to Collin Key.