Thread by @OdiaCulture

Tweeting a series of factoids about #Nuakhai from Nuakhai: An Epitome of the Great Tradition of India
Dr. Chitrasen Pasayat that appeared in Odisha Review.

#ନୂଆଖାଇଜୁହାର #NuakhaiJuhar

As per tradition, the head of the family proceeds to the
field at the auspicious time. There, he invokes the
pancha mahabhutas namely earth, water, light, wind and space and offers them his obeisance before plucking the new grain in grateful respect.

#ନୂଆଖାଇଜୁହାର #NuakhaiJuhar

During the stipulated time period, as fixed
earlier by a group of veteran pundits, the
households offer nua to their respective presiding
deities in their homes.

#ନୂଆଖାଇଜୁହାର #NuakhaiJuhar

Nine sets of rituals are followed as a prelude to the actual
day of celebration. They are 1. Beheren (announcement for meeting to set a date), 2. lagna dekha (setting the exact date for partaking of new rice, 3. daka haka (invitation)....

#ନୂଆଖାଇଜୁହାର #NuakhaiJuhar

4. sapha sutura and lipa puchha (cleanliness), 5. ghina bika
(purchasing), 6. nua dhan khuja (looking for new crop), 7. bali paka (final resolve for Nuakhai by taking Prasad i.e. pahur to deity)....

#ନୂଆଖାଇଜୁହାର #NuakhaiJuhar

8. Nuakhai (taking new crop as Prasad after offering to the deity followed by dancing and singing), 9. juhar
bhet (respect to elders).

#ନୂଆଖାଇଜୁହାର #NuakhaiJuhar

The author quotes scholars to say that the festival is celebrated as Jeth Nawakhai among the Dudh Kharia
and Pahari Kharia, Nawakhani amongst the Oraon
and Birjia, Jom Nawa among the Munda Birjia,
Janther or Baihar-Horo Nawai by the Santal....

#ନୂଆଖାଇଜୁହାର #NuakhaiJuhar

Gondli Nawakhani by the Christian tribals of Ranchi district, Nawa by the Birjia, Nawa-Jom by the Birhor, Dhan Nawakhani by Korwa, Nawakhani by the Paraja, Jom Nawa by the Santals in Santal Pargana and so on, even though rituals and dates vary.

#ନୂଆଖାଇଜୁହାର #NuakhaiJuhar