Anthropological Study of Sirth Rites in Bhatra Tribe

Abstract

The word Sanskar means purification. When the soul leaves one body and takes birth in another body, then the effects of his previous birth go with him. Sanskars have two forms - one internal form and the other external form. The name of the outer form is the custom which protects the inner form. Sanskar refers to those religious acts which are performed to purify the body and mind of a person with the aim of making a person a fully qualified member of his community. All societies have their own special customs, due to which they have their own special identity, but no society is untouched by the present modern era, due to which there has definitely been a change in the basic nature of their customs. The purpose of the present study is to do a comprehensive study of the birth rites of the Bhatra tribe. For the present study, after selecting 4 villages of Bastar district, the facts have been collected through group discussion by selecting eminent persons through divine guidance method. From the present study it was concluded that the Bhatra tribe is very sensitive to their rituals, but the effect of modernization is starting to take place in their customs. The Bhatra tribe should try to explain the importance of their rituals to the coming generation.