14.0 Introduction

Rituals are crucial elements in any religion, whether it is a tribal religion, or institutionalised religions like Christianity, Islam, etc. They define a domain of connection of humans with sacred and profane realities of life.

Precisely, rituals, particularly among the tribe, help people to experience the sacred, and at the same time, affirm the relationship with the sacred; fulfil the implications of that relationship in everyday life through the institution of the priest, and in responding to crises like diseases, etc. with a view to enjoy peace, good health, prosperity, and so on. No doubt, success in hunting, agriculture, etc. requires invocation of blessings of supernatural beings through rituals. Symbolic elements used in rituals convey a sense through which a belief system gets meaningful expression. However, when there is a shift in religious beliefs, the meaning and performance of rituals also change. This is the case of the Kukis of India who have undergone enormous changes, and do not function any more according to the traditional system because of their conversion to Christianity. In view of this, the chapter aims to understand the changes in traditional rituals by situating them in the contemporary context. The research chapter is organised in four sections keeping the above perspectives in view. The first section focuses on the institution of thempu (traditional priest), for he is the pivot around which rituals revolve. The second section discusses important traditional rituals, purpose of their performance, etc.; while in the third section the change in traditional rituals, and nature and extent of their presence in Christian traditions is explored. We conclude in the final, i.e. fourth section.

14.1

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Source: Behera Maguni C. (ed.). The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Readings on Tribe and Religions in India: Emerging Negotiations. Routledge,2024. — 502 p.. 2024

14.0 Introduction

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