A Tribal Interlude

Last week, we were invited to a family ritual by a tribal man who had worked in our farm for several years. The ritual was to celebrate the coming of age of their eldest daughter.One of the interesting things we observed was the tribal band that played music for the ritual. It was a 5-man band: a slightly smaller version of the nadaswaram, three people playing the tribal drum, and the last one with a pair of small hand-cymbals.

 

The group did not play any popular songs or film music, but a free-flowing tune somewhat similar to a snake charmer's music. I think I have heard a similar rhythm played by the Santhals in Jharkhand.

What was even more interesting was that the instruments (other than the cymbals) were hand-made by the tribals themselves! 

The drums used by them has another slightly different use - to keep wild animals at bay. Groups of these men are employed by estates to stay up at night to ward off the Indian gaur, and these men play these drums while keeping watch. (I can't say if the drums are meant to keep the animals away, or just to keep themselves awake ;-))

Here's a 30-sec video of the band playing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFox2J8TYuQ

And here's another thing which we experienced more clearly: when a tribal family has some celebration (or a funeral, for that matter), not only the entire hamlet but all of the neighbouring hamlets celebrate with them. Which means, none of them go out for work that day!