Which of the following best reflects the symbolic core of the Jawa Festival celebrated by tribal girls in Jharkhand?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. It is a fertility rite where sprouted seeds and melons symbolize fertility and offspring.
The Jawa Festival is a significant cultural event celebrated by unmarried tribal girls in Jharkhand (primarily by the Oraon and Munda communities) during the Karam festival. Its symbolic core revolves around fertility and prosperity. Girls plant seeds in baskets, and the health of the resulting sprouts (Jawa) is believed to predict the fertility of the soil and the future offspring of the women. The ceremony includes traditional songs and dances around these sacred sprouts.