Celebrating freedom and love: The unique ‘Ghini Palaan’ tradition of Khadia tribe during Raja festival

Baripada, June 16: Odisha is a land of vibrant cultures and diverse traditions, where every community brings its own unique flavor to the social tapestry. Among these, the Khadia tribe, a primitive tribal community spread across districts like Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, stands out with its deeply rooted and fascinating tradition known as ‘Ghini Palaan’, celebrated during the much-loved Raja Sankranti festival.

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Unlike the common perception of Raja as merely an agricultural festival marking the arrival of the monsoon and the fertility of the land, for the Khadia tribe, Raja is much more. It is a powerful celebration of freedom, identity, and youthful romance, a time when young hearts meet, compete, and choose their life partners through a vibrant cultural ritual that has endured for generations.

During Raja, unmarried Khadia youths don their finest traditional attire and set out from their villages to neighboring communities. The village center, known as Rajadoli, becomes a lively stage where unmarried girls, dressed in fresh and colorful clothes, gather alongside their guardians. The air is filled with anticipation as the stage is set for the much-awaited Baadi Geeta, a musical contest of wit, rhythm, and poetic exchange.

This contest is not merely entertainment; it is a beautiful cultural mechanism through which young men and women express their interest, intellect, and compatibility. Only unmarried youth are permitted to participate, and under the watchful eyes of the elders, the musical duel unfolds. The victorious youth earns the honor of choosing their life partner, making the event a joyous and heartfelt affair.

The first day of Raja is steeped in festive joy with families savoring traditional pithapana (rice cakes), swinging high on the swings, and engaging in friendly games like cards. But it is the second and third days that truly capture the spirit of the community. Young men travel to other tribal villages where eligible young women await them, adorned and eager. Another round of Baadi Geeta begins, a spirited contest that further strengthens bonds beyond the confines of a single village.

When the contests conclude and the couples are chosen, the grand finale takes place at Hatapadia near Station Bazar in Baripada, revered as the second Srikshetra. Here, during the sacred Bahuda Yatra of the famous Rath Yatra festival, the selected couples come together. In the presence of Lord Jagannath, and honoring the outcomes of the musical contests, these couples solemnize their marriages, embarking on a new journey with divine blessings.

After the ceremonies, the newlyweds seek blessings by gazing upon the chariot-mounted deities — a moment of spiritual fulfillment and communal joy.

Yet, as with many ancient customs, the Ghini Palaan tradition is slowly fading, threatened by changing times and modern pressures. This unique cultural gem of the Khadia tribe is in urgent need of recognition and support. Greater awareness and encouragement, especially from government and cultural bodies, could help preserve this beautiful tradition — a living testimony to the power of music, freedom, and love woven into the fabric of Odisha’s tribal heritage.