Chapter 6 Caryota Urens: from vegetable manifestation of God to the Sacred Tree of the Shamans of Orissa
Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion - Plant Life in South Asian Traditions - Fabrizio Ferrari
Stefano Beggiora [+]
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy)
Description
The tribal areas of Orissa are renowned for the production of local palm wine, Salap/salpo, that is produced by treating the juice of the Caryota Urens tree. In some hilly areas exist the variety of mahuli, a liqueur produced from the Madhuca Indica that has the same use. The custom of drinking these fermented products is a characteristic feature of tribal culture of this region: this creates sociality, enshrines the communal relations among the clans, consecrates the moments of passage such as weddings, births, etc. The consumption of alcohol produced with the plants of the forest, where survival is always at threat, has contributed in history to reduce the level of anxiety in the community. For these reasons, the Caryota Urens is considered a sacred plant. It is in fact of central importance in the shamanic ritual and in the worship of ancestors. Not only the shaman drinks the juice in the early stages of trance, but he celebrate his offering, summoning the spirits and renewing the covenant between the living and the dead. In the tribal cultures of Orissa, as well as elsewhere in India, the trees that exude latex are symbols of the divine maternity: this is the reason why they are sought by spirits who try to come back to life. Nevertheless in shamanism of the tribes of the region, the plant embodies a vegetable theophany: its juice opens the intimacy with god, tearing the mystery surrounding nature, its material forces possibly hostile to man. It is the flesh of god; it is god. Methodology and case studies: We will refer in particular to some years of fieldwork in the district of Rayagada in the community of Lanjia Saoras, where I had the opportunity to document the techniques of the treatment of the plant, the ritual and social use of fermented products, to record and eventually to translate from tribal dialects the liturgies and some folk songs dedicated to the sacred palm.