Tribal girls outside the dhumkuria inaugurated in Ranchi. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, June 24: A dhumkuria, a dormitory of the Oraons, was inaugurated today by local MLA Chandeshwar Prasad Singh at Hindpiri.

This is the first state-sponsored dhumkuria in the city, which has been constructed using Rs 7 lakh from Singh’s MLA fund. The dormitory, which took six months for construction, has one big hall, a verandah and a storeroom all spread over 4,000sqft.

The dhumkuria traditionally gives the tribal youth an opportunity to come together to learn about their culture. It is ideal for selecting young couples for marriage as youths from different tribal villages assemble here with their parents during tribal festivals.

For the inauguration ceremony, the dhumkuria was decorated and tribal girls welcomed guests spraying water with mango leaves. Priests were busy performing rituals. A feast was also organised. Tribals youths of Hindpiri, Purani Ranchi, Harmu, Ghaghra, Bargai, Bariatu, Misir Gonda, Ghaghra and Khiji among others participated. Hindpiri Adivasi Panchayat Samiti president Raju Lakra said the dormitory would be provided with all types of tribal musical instruments. “We have decided to keep several musical instruments here to keep traditional music alive,” Lakra added.

Ranchi University professor and anthropology department head Karma Oroan said establishment of the dhumkuria would help develop unity among tribals. Rejecting it as a place for selecting marriage partners, he said it would bring the tribal society together to help each other during crises.

He refused to accept Hindpiri as being in the heart of city. “Ranchi is a growing village and it has yet to take the shape of a city. The place where the dorm has come up is a tribal village which has changed its shape due to people coming from outside,” Oroan said.

Secretary of Ranchi Mahanagar Prathna Sabha Jeetu Oroan said that the dormitory will help check cultural pollution. “Now tribal youths can easily get themselves associated with their original Sarna religion despite residing in the city area,” he said.