Tribal festival Sendra draws hundreds to Dalma hills

Jamshedpur:  Dalma hills came alive with tradition and collective spirit as hundreds from the tribal community gathered to celebrate the revered Sendra Festival on Monday. 

The annual congregation reflected not only a ritual hunt but a deep cultural expression of identity, ecological reverence, and ancestral continuity.

The observances began on Sunday with elaborate pre-hunt rituals led by Dalma King Rakesh Hembram near Phadlugora village. 

Sacred prayers were offered to forest deities, seeking protection for participants and blessings for a fruitful season ahead. 

Traditional weapons—bows, arrows, spears, and lances—were ceremonially worshipped, symbolizing their enduring cultural importance.

“We pray for the safety of every Sendra warrior and for harmony between our people and the forests that sustain us,” said Hembram, underscoring the spiritual essence of the festival. 

Community leaders including the Pargana, Manki, Munda, Nayke, and other traditional office bearers were present, reinforcing the structured governance system that continues to guide tribal life.

Parallel ceremonies unfolded in Jamdih village under the leadership of Fakir Soren, with enthusiastic participation from nearby villages.

The widespread involvement highlighted the festival’s resonance across the Kolhan region and even neighboring states like Odisha and West Bengal.

From early Sunday, groups of Sendra participants began arriving, many traveling overnight to avoid the scorching heat. 

Temporary camps dotted the foothills across villages including Haludbani, Phadlugora, Asanbani, Jamdih, Mirjadih, and Bonta. 

By dawn on Monday, the warriors set out into the dense forest, returning later in the day after completing the symbolic hunt.

Organizers ensured that the event adhered to regulatory norms, with checkpoints restricting prohibited items such as traps and firearms. 

Prior co-ordination with forest authorities enabled the community to uphold tradition while respecting conservation guidelines. “We have worked closely with officials to ensure our customs continue responsibly, without harming the forest ecosystem,” Hembram added.

A unique and enduring aspect of the festival remains the inclusion of hunting dogs. 

These animals accompany participants, and any catch is shared equally among all members—including the dogs—reflecting a tradition rooted in equality and mutual respect.

Even in a rapidly modernizing world, the Sendra festival endures as a powerful reminder of the tribal community’s intrinsic bond with nature, their collective ethos, and the preservation of age-old customs that continue to define their identity.