From rxpgnews.com
Jharkhand tribals to celebrate indigenous hunting festival
By IANS,
Apr 22, 2007 - 6:15:08 PM
Ranchi, April 22 - Despite the forest department's drive to conserve wildlife by putting a ban on hunting and killing of wild animals, tribals in Jharkhand have decided to go ahead with their indigenous annual hunting festival starting April 30.
Dalma Buru Sendra Sammittee -, a central body of the tribals, has decided to go ahead with the age-old practice that involves hunting and killing of animals.
Every year, the forest department tries to sensitise the tribal people but with little success as dozens of animals including deer, boar and wild buffaloes are killed during the week-long festival, known as 'Sendra' among the tribals.
'The hunting festival is inextricably attached with our religion and the sentiments of the people of our community. The state government should not do anything to stop us from practising our faith,' said Demka Soy, convener of DBSS.
During the festival, the tribals wake up early in the morning and worship their deities and ancestors as well as their hunting weapons like bows and arrows. Then they go into the jungle in search of animals by beating drums and chanting of hymns.
Deputy Chief Minister Sudhir Mahto is in favour of symbolic hunting of the wild animals in deference to the religious sentiments of tribal while protecting the wildlife.
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