Know All About Tharu Tribe, Where New Bride Offers Food To Groom With Her Feet

The Tharu tribe's marriage rituals are a fascinating blend of Hindu traditions and indigenous customs. Originating from the Thar Desert, the Tharu people migrated to Nepal over time, and today, Tharu communities can be found not only in India's Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar but also in neighbouring Nepal.

One notable tradition in Tharu tribe marriages, as highlighted by Rajesh Joshi, an independent journalist and media trainer from Uttarakhand, involves the bride serving food to her husband with her feet after the wedding ceremony.

Tharu Tribe

Tharu tribe marriage customs

Tharu tribe's wedding customs include several unique practices. After the tilak ceremony, the groom adorns a dagger and turban. Boys worship the Sakhu tree in the forest with curd, Akshat, and vermilion, gathering branches for rituals.

These branches are later used to roast Lava, a special dish, on the wedding day. The engagement ceremony, known as Apna Paraya or Khanauri, signifies commitment, while Baat Katti determines the wedding date.

In the Tharu tribe of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, women hold higher status, often being the primary occupants of the kitchen.

The traditional attire for Tharu women consists of a lehenga and chunari, which are typically paired with bracelets and anklets.

However, this type of clothing is more commonly worn by older women. As for men, they usually wear a dhoti-kurta and gamchha. While it was once customary to wear sandals, very few people still adhere to this tradition.

It's worth noting that the Tharu tribe is the largest tribal community in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in terms of population.

Rajnath Singh Official website

In the West Champaran district of Bihar, the Tharu tribe upholds a remarkable tradition: marriages without any demand or acceptance of dowry, according to a 2023 TOI report.

Instead, marriages are viewed as sacred, with both brides and grooms worshipped during the ceremony. Unlike orthodox Hindu customs, negotiations are initiated by the groom-to-be's guardians, who visit the bride-to-be's home. If a marriage is agreed upon, a token amount ranging from Rs 5 to 11 is offered.

It is a common cultural practice among the Tharu community in six zones of the Terai region to have approximately 500 dowry-free marriages every year. These marriages not only reject dowry but also celebrate gender equality and respect.

Leaders of the Tharu tribe emphasize that their rejection of dowry is a long-standing tradition passed down through generations. This tradition reflects their evolved societal values that have remained steadfast despite changes in diet and lifestyle over time. It is worth noting that the Tharu tribe's stance against dowry is rare, even among other tribal communities in India.

Sociologists have noted that the Tharu tribe strictly practices the absence of dowry as a cultural norm. Punitive measures are imposed on those who violate the tradition.

Insights into the Tharu community

Tharu Tribe

The Tharu tribe, shrouded in myths regarding their origins, has a rich history dating back to at least the 10th century, with their roots believed to trace back to the eastern Terai region.

Originating from the Thar Desert, they migrated to Nepal and are predominantly found in the Terai lowlands, nestled amidst the Shivaliks or lower Himalayas.

Renowned for their strong ties to the forest, many Tharu people rely on farming or living in forested areas, reflecting their intimate relationship with nature.

Preserving their unique cultural identity, the Tharu tribe is recognized as "Scheduled Tribes" in India and as an official nationality by the Nepalese government.

Their traditional dwellings, constructed from clay, mud, dung, and grass, echo their harmonious coexistence with the natural environment.

Women in the Tharu community play a significant role in property ownership, in contrast to the customary norms of North Indian Hindu society. Their verandah designs are a combination of traditional and modern influences.

Tharu culture is deeply intertwined with their surroundings, reflected in their religious beliefs and culinary traditions.

The Tharu people worship Lord Shiva as Mahadev and have a pantheon of gods that includes many forest deities, highlighting their deep respect for nature.

Along with their spiritual traditions, Tharu cuisine includes staple dishes such as Bagiya or Dhikri, which is a steamed rice flour dish, and Ghonghi, a savoury curry made with edible snails.

Tharu community's eco-friendly lifestyle

Renowned for their eco-friendly lifestyle and resilience in malarial regions, the Tharu tribe's cultural richness and traditional way of life serve as a testament to their enduring legacy in the forests they call home.

In 2023, according to a PTI report, Tharu tribe women in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, turned to organic kitchen gardening to address nutritional needs and boost income.

About 200 women from 35 self-help groups, including those from Tharu villages, started cultivating vegetables in response to a survey revealing low nutritional levels due to COVID-19.

Initially, the World Wildlife Fund-India funded the project entirely, but women began contributing 25% of the costs over two seasons. With guidance from experts and assistance from the Horticulture department, the women successfully grew various vegetables, aiming for self-sufficiency and exploring products with longer shelf life, such as mushrooms.

IDR

Additionally, the members of tharu ribe residing in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district have long thrived amidst the challenges of their forest habitat. With 47 villages nestled within the Dudhwa National Park, their lives are intricately intertwined with the forest's resources and cultural traditions.

Drawing from the land, the Tharu people construct their homes with sustainable materials like grass, wood, and mud, ensuring resilience against natural disasters. Raised platforms and granary structures safeguard their grain reserves during seasonal floods, a crucial strategy given the area's vulnerability to monsoonal overflow.

Reference articles:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/no-place-for-dowry-in-tharu-community/articleshow/101425672.cms

https://yourstory.com/herstory/2023/11/tharu-tribe-women-turn-organic-kitchen-gardening

https://idronline.org/ground-up-stories/drought-or-famine-the-tharus-will-survive/

https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/tharu-tribe-india/

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