The demand for official celebration of Teej, the sacred festival of Lambadas or Banjaras, is gaining momentum with organisations representing Lambadas chalking out plans of making concerted efforts in pursuit of the goal.
The tribal hamlets referred to as tandas, inhabited by Lambadas, are presently agog with the nine-day Teej celebrations coinciding with the “Sravana Masam” across the undivided Khammam district. The annual festival involves worshipping gods and goddesses by young girls in the form of raising of wheat saplings in bamboo baskets and immersing them in the local streams on the final day of the festival, popularly known as Banjaras’ Bathukamma.
The Telangana Girijana Sangham (TGS) in association with Bahujan Left Front (BLF) has called for a meeting in Kusumanchi town on August 19 to deliberate on the next course of action to press for its long-pending demands, including the official celebration of Teej.
“The festival reflects the glorious cultural heritage of Banjaras and it should be celebrated officially by the State government,” said TGS district secretary Bukya Veerabhadram, adding that the government should sanction ₹50,000 to each tanda for celebration of Teej every year to help preserve tribal cultural heritage.
The ensuing meeting will also deliberate on the next course of action to work towards tribal empowerment. A host of academicians and other distinguished personalities from various walks of life are expected to join the meeting.
