From childhood, many have been regaled with tales of ghosts and spirits. Stories of haunted locations and rituals meant to ward off malevolent entities are commonplace. But have you heard of a culture that not only acknowledges but also venerates these spirits? In certain villages of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, specifically in the Abujhmad region, spirits are given a home, and their presence is celebrated through dedicated worship.
The tribal communities in the Abujhmad area extend hospitality to spirits by providing them with designated homes and engaging in regular worship. They extend invitations to these spirits and conduct prayers for their family’s well-being. This custom of accommodating spirits has been practiced in the Abujhmad villages for generations. The villagers do not follow the Pitra Paksha tradition; they believe in housing and honoring their ancestors’ spirits within these dedicated spirit homes. Ancestral spirits are believed to reside within earthen pots (handis), which are the focal point of their rituals.
This practice is known as ‘Aana Kudma’ in the tribal community, literally translating to ‘house of the spirit.’ Devlal Dugga, the former Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Scheduled Tribes Commission, has shared details about these villages and the worship of spirits. He highlighted that the community firmly believes that the spirits of their ancestors reside within these spaces and are worshipped on a daily basis.
Remarkably, before any wedding ceremony in the village, the spirits are invited. These spirits then offer their blessings to the couple. Furthermore, the consumption of newly harvested crops is prohibited until offerings are made to the spirits. Any unintentional violation of this custom is believed to bring misfortune upon the village, necessitating apologies and corrective prayers.
Devlal Dugga explained that the tribal community holds profound faith in ‘Aana Kudma.’ Each village features a small, temple-like room where an earthen pot (handi) is kept. It is believed that the ancestral spirits of the tribal community reside within this handi. Every household in these villages reserves a special room for their ancestors. Given the high population density of specific clans in these villages, the spirits of deceased members are placed in Aana Kudma by their clan members, and worship rituals commence.
Additionally, these spirits are believed to protect the villagers from harmful entities. Devlal Dugga emphasized that the divine resides within the spirits themselves. The tribal community venerates their ancestors, and worship of these spirits, with prayers for blessings, is a common practice during special events such as festivals and weddings. However, access to the spirit houses is restricted to men. The entry of women or girls is strictly prohibited. Wedding ceremonies always commence after inviting the spirits.