The thoughts of our elders about the cultures and rituals followed by Tuluvas are truly special. We can decline these rituals as superstition. There is a saying in Tulunad that no good things should be performed during Aati month. Because of heavy rainfall this month, there was no proper working environment. Our elders were struggling for food and to lead their life. If sunlight falls somewhere during this month, it was a very bad experience because the Sun-ray was extremely hot and it can even break the skin of an elephant. Not only that, the earth possesses excessive poisonous contents. Our elders used to say a proverb that during aati month, even earthworms also try to build family bonds with snakes. This saying shows how poisonous the earthworm was during Aati. Along with these, there were several types of mosquitoes, worms producing different varieties of sickness to people. Hence on this month, people used to consume the natural medicinal plants like Tēvu, Tajaṅk, stem of banana plant, banana plant’s flower, tender bamboo in their food.
On Aamase day (no moon), Tuluva people consume syrup from the bark of Pālè tree in the early morning, they believe that this syrup can wipe away all types of sickness and pandemics. The bark from Pālè tree is removed using a sharp stone instead of a metallic knife, because the Pālè tree has the nature of attracting lightning, hence metallic things are avoided. On Aati month, there is a belief that the Bhootas worshipped Tuluva people will travel to Ghatta region therefore the shrines of Bhoota (taana/maaḍa/garoḍi) are closed and hence functions like offering Taṁbila, Kola aren’t performed. At this time when people worry about who will protect us from bad evils, the Aati Kalenja protect the people from all the evils and bad causes.
Another unique ritual of Aati month is a mother taking her newly married daughter from her husband’s house to her home. This is the precautionary step taken by mothers to protect their daughters during the hard time of Aati month. Mother promises to her daughter that if no food is available at the husband’s house, then the mother will provide her share of rice gruel (TeLi) to her daughter. To take the daughter away from her husband’s house, mother uses a trick, mother says to her mother-in-law that if mother-in-law sees her daughter-in-law, her eyes will become blind. By creating fear in the mind of the mother-in-law, the mother takes her daughter to her home and takes care of the daughter as much as possible.
In other words the culture and rituals followed by elder Tuluva people is undoubtedly unique and the younger generation still following the same.
We will let you know each and every event that takes place in Aati month through a separate article. The article will reflect on the website soon.
Author:
Shwethambika N
shwethaamai@gmail.com