Tribal girls perform on the occasion of Maghe Parab at Gopal Maidan. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Feb. 15: Gopal Maidan in Bistupur today resembled a village fair as tribals arrived in droves to celebrate Maghe Parab here.

The Ho Samaj Mahasabha district committee of East Singhbhum organised Maghe Parab to keep up with their tradition and culture. The festival especially holds significance for the people of the community who live in cities.

The festival would have been incomplete without dancers and drummers. To give a feel of the age-old tradition, dancers came up with a beautifully co-ordinated dance.

“Maghe Parab is worshipping the creation of life. However, with time it has become more of a get-together for the people of the community. These festivals help us stay in touch with our roots,” said Mangal Singh Soy, the president of Ho Samaj Mahasabha.

The festival is celebrated during the month of magh (between January and February).

About 5,000 people gathered at the park today.

“We worship three roosters and offer them to deities and our ancestors during the festival. This is the most important ritual where we offer red coloured roosters to the gram devta (village god), one to our ancestors and the last one to the goddess for bounty and good health. The deity protects us from natural calamities. Lord Shiva is also worshipped during the festival to seek his blessings,” said Soy.

During the festival mahua (liquor) is offered among the guests. The people of Ho and other communities were seen flocking to the park in new clothes.

“Every year, we attend the Maghe Parab and all other tribal festivals that take place in the city. As we live in cities, our children hardly know about our culture and tradition. Being part of these festivals helps us get back to our roots. We also get to meet a lot of people of our community here. It seems like a reunion,” said Haripada Bodra, a shopkeeper in Agrico, who had come to be a part of the festivity.