1.1.The
Practice of Wild Head Hunting
Until
the British occupation in Maraland, the Maras were known to the outside world
as daring head-hunters, whose periodic raids were a source of terror to their
comparatively peaceful neighbours. The main occupation of the people was
hunting and warfare. From the earliest times the Maras have been notorious for
their sanguinary raids into British territory, which are said to be instigated
by their desire to obtain human heads for use at their funeral ceremonies.
The
Maras carried out head-hunting for various reasons. First, it was done not for
the sake of the head, but for the sanctity of the head as the seat of the soul.
Secondly, much warfare took place as a result of the ever-increasing cycle of
revenge for previous killing. The more important motives for headhunting were
to propitiate the evil spirits, to attain paradise (peirah) after death,
to prove prowess over enemies and to gain the respect of a prospective bride. A
man who killed non-Maras was given higher regard than one who had not,
therefore, when a man killed a person he had to bring home the head to show
that he was speaking the truth. Great value is attached to the heads of animals
taken in the chase and to the heads of human beings taken in tribal wars and
raids, as the possession of such is believed to give the owner not only power
over the victims in the “world to come,” but also ensures a permit into
Paradise after the death of the one who has obtained a full set of heads.[1] Whether
the Mara people were head hunters in a true or not will need further scholarly
research. However, one thing I clear. “Head” was not the primary motive of war;
neither was territorial annexation the central motive. The primary motive of
going for a raid was for gain of wealth in terms of guns, silver, gongs, name
& fame, and any other portable articles and slaves.[2]
If
this was correct a great deal of their apparent cruelties to the innocent tea
planters could be explained and understood. The Mara religion then would appear
to consist chiefly of ceremonies and sacrifices that had nothing to do with
moral conduct or behaviour. The evil spirits made no moral demands and no
sickness was due to immoral living. The slaughter of human beings and cruelty
to animals were considered as a crime displeasing to the Supreme Being. Enemies
had to be killed but retribution would come in one form or another. What was
feared most was this impersonal retribution rather than direct punishment from
the Supreme Being? The impersonal retribution could be realized through the
curtailment of longevity, childlessness or misfortunes to their children. There
were certain things unlawful to be done otherwise different misfortunes could
come upon the doers.
Mara
traditional religion was a religion without scriptures but practised
traditionally. If so, how could the Maras practice this religion more than 400
years? Whom did they worship and what was the object of worship? What were the
purposes and elements of worship? All these theological questions arose out of
this study and it is not easy to give exact answers immediately. An attempt
will be made to give possible answers under the topic of Mara traditional
religious worldview.
2.
The
Life of the Mara Tribal People before Christianity
The Mara Tribal people,
belonging to Mongoloid stock used to live in the jungles as wild life before
the Christianity. Their lives were filled with fear of evil spirits and they
frequently offered sacrifices to the gods and goddesses, and practiced various
activities which are inapplicable to the life of Christian era.
Besides, drinking and smoking was the most common element in Mara
social entertainment, trial of local civil cases and several feasts and
ceremonies. The chief beverage was Sahma, home brew and Sahma, rice beer or
corn beer. Sahma was used by the public for all ceremonies and festivals
whereas Sahmi was offered for social entertainment of the feast or the case.
Moreover, smoking in the Mara community has been a predominant custom of the
living. Locally made tobacco and cigars are used. Besides this, every grown
woman smokes the hookah which produces karao,
a concentrated water that is used much for hospitality, specially, in the area
of public entertainment.
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