By Anthea Gerrie
Bishnoi tribe in Rajasthan wear colorful clothes, living a colorful as well.
The Bishnoi villagers in the west of Rajasthan have a unique way of welcoming guests. For the sake of decency, they will let you taste the opium.
You will be more reluctant resist after seeing the elaborate rituals performed by this isolated community to make the dough opium.
When I came there, destroy the host of small balls dry opium in a copper bowl. Slowly, she added water, drop by drop. After filtering it several times, the batter called "charity" is then poured into my hands that have been looked up.
Not as I imagined, it's liquid, bitter and have no bearing on anything.
Even so, what they do is a form of extraordinary hospitality.
Opium and preservation
The ritual of making beverages opium prepared for the guests home.
The ritual of making the opium drink is made for visitors who come to the village. Although officially banned opium in India, but is still available thanks to the environmentalists is tribe. From this brave tribe Bishoi, the term "Tree-Hugger" (followers of the tree) is derived.
In 1730, hundreds of people from the Bishnoi tribe was ready to sacrifice
their lives by hugging trees to prevent logging. These people were later beheaded. But when the Maharaja of Jodhpur to hear stories of sacrifice Bishnoi tribe, he ordered the loggers to cut trees (and heads) in the region.
To this day, the Bishnoi is famous for its dedication to saving the environment. Governmental authority even pretend not to know the use of opium Bishnoi tribe for religious rituals.
In the course of 40 km to the southeast of Jodhpur it, my guide explained how the Bishnoi tribe-laws enjoy drinking tea together. On the day of the wedding, the bride's father offers opium mixed water into the groom's father. Offered three times, three times as well as the opium of water is drunk from the hand. Furthermore, the groom's father would do the same for the father of the bride.
Actually this is an introductory ritual when a stranger came to visit. However, they respect the manners and customs of foreigners who visit by allowing opium to drink water from the hands of the tourists themselves.
Sometimes powdered saffron (Kuma-Kuma) is used as a substitute for opium.
Rooted in religion
In addition to opium water, those who visit the village will also be treated to traditional dishes, the bread and curry.
The word "Bishnoi" which means 29 - refers to the 20 principles of Hindu and Muslim principles are upheld nine
These ethnic groups - which in essence produces a series of orders relating to environmental protection.
The Bishnoi have great respect for the deer and cows because they believe these two creatures were their ancestors. Thus, deer and cows they were protected from hunters. The women here are even ready to give milk to a motherless deer. The Bishnoi also never eat meat.
Wood that they would use for cooking will be thrown to the ground three times, just to ensure no more insects are hidden in the wood when burned.
They also filter the water twice before cooking,
to avoid the presence of small insects.
But the most striking feature of the life of Bishnoi tribe (now no longer valid) is a system of males.
While enjoying the post-opium dish - curry squash, peppers and wheat chapatis - I was told that until 50 years ago, most handsome man in the village would be well advised to sleep with as many unmarried women, for ten years.
Males were then beheaded, or at least, ostracized for life. This system has now been banned - even though they also say the same thing about opium here.
This system has now been banned - even though they also say the same thing about opium here.
Reach Jodhpur
Jodhpur can be reached from Delhi by flight for one hour or 10 hour night train. Sajjan Singh, Surya Kunj innkeeper (www.mahindrahomestays.com), can arrange your visit to the Bishnoi community.
source : www.yahoo.com
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