'Dhund' - a unique Holi by Banjara community

The Banjara community has an extraordinary way of celebrating Holi. On this day, sumptuous food is cooked, year-old male babies are named and women beat men too.

Vijaypura (Karnataka): The Banjara community has its own unique and traditional way of celebrating Holi. Normally during Holi, people throw colour on each other, but in the Banjara or Lambani community, the celebration is very different and unique.

What is Dhund?

'Dhund' is a tradition that is celebrated by the Banjara community. The Lambani community people from Vijaypur district's Allapura Tanda village celebrate 'Dhund' every year during Holi celebrations. 'Dhund' is the naming ceremony of the boy baby of the Lambani community who was born during Holi last year. On this day they make Puri and Sajjaka besides making delicious sweets, and they also perform Pooja and distribute sweets among the people who attend the festivities.

The men of the community

During this function, people will dance and cheer each other. Dhund is celebrated for two or three days. The people of the community who are out of town working jobs or pursuing education have to get back home and attend Dhund, this is a strict order and a tradition of the community.

Naming of male babies

A unique tradition of 'Dhund' is that women beat men during the celebration. The men give money to the ladies to save themselves from a beating. With this tradition, the 'Dhund' celebration ends.