Relevance: GS I (Art & Culture – Tribal Festivals) & GS II (Soft Power) | Source: The Hindu

1. The Human Context: Chants Across Oceans

On Republic Day 2026, the forests of Telangana witnessed a rare spectacle. The rhythmic stomping of the Maori Haka (from New Zealand) synchronized with the tribal drums of the Koya community.

  • The Moment: It was a historic act of “Indigenous Diplomacy.” A Maori delegation traveled thousands of miles to the Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma shrine to honor a shared spirit.
  • The Exchange: The Maoris offered their sacred dance; the Koyas welcomed them with ‘Bangaram’ (jaggery)—their traditional offering of gold. It was a meeting of two cultures that, despite the distance, speak the same language of resilience.

2. Shared Spirit: Nature and Ancestors

This wasn’t just a performance; it was a recognition of shared values.

  • The Haka: Often mistaken for a “war dance,” it is actually a Maori expression of inner strength, identity, and unity—used to welcome friends as much as to challenge foes.
  • The Koya Way: Like the Maoris, the Koya tribe does not worship idols in temples. They revere the forces of nature and their ancestors, finding divinity in the forest itself.

3. The Legend of Medaram (The “Tribal Kumbh”)

  • The Festival: The Medaram Jatara is Asia’s largest tribal gathering.
  • The Story: It honors a mother-daughter duo, Sammakka and Saralamma. In the 13th century, they didn’t fight for land or power; they fought against the Kakatiya Kings to protect their people from unjust taxes during a drought. They died as warriors and rose as goddesses.

UPSC Value Box

Concept / Term Relevance for Prelims
Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara Held biennially (every 2 years) in Mulugu District, Telangana. It is the second-largest congregation in India after the Kumbh Mela.
Koya Tribe A major indigenous community of the Godavari valley (Telangana/Andhra). They have a distinct connection to the Mahua flower and nature worship.
Indigenous Diplomacy Using cultural heritage to build international relations between native communities, bypassing traditional political channels.

Q. With reference to the “Medaram Jatara,” often cited as Asia’s largest tribal festival, consider the following statements:

  1. It is a biennial festival celebrated primarily by the Koya tribe in Telangana.
  2. The festival commemorates the fight of a mother and daughter against the Kakatiya dynasty.
  3. The presiding deities are worshipped in the form of large stone idols in a Dravidian-style temple.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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