Nuapada (Odisha): The Chakotia Bhunjia tribals, who inhabit the villages in the famous wildlife sanctuary at Sunabeda in Odisha's Nuapada district are specially famous for their sacred kitchen called, 'Lal Bangla' and they are identified by their of rituals performed inside this mysterious kitchen.
Lal Bangla is such a house that if somebody - other than their family members - merely touches it, the house is either demolished or burnt to ashes. Immediately thereafter, the people observe fasting and construct a new 'Lal Bangla'.
The villagers said that the kitchen sheds of Chakotia Bhunjia tribe, known as Lal Bangla, are considered to be consecrated and the entry of even married daughters of the family, since they are outsiders, into the kitchens is prohibited. The kitchen shed is normally constructed a few feet away from the house to maintain the pious atmosphere.
The story behind the ‘Lal Bangla’ is interesting and it is mysterious also. It is forbidden for any member of the family to sleep or take shelter in this house. As a signal of danger, the colour of the ‘Lal Bangla’ is painted red.
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Speaking to ETV Bharat reporter, a local, Bijaya Jhankar said, "We consider our kitchen as sacred. So sacred is the kitchen that even married daughters are not allowed to enter or touch it which is the reason they are deliberately constructed outside the house to maintain its sanctity."
"This is such a house that if somebody merely touches it, the house is either demolished or burnt to ashes. No cement, sand or stone is used in the construction of this ‘Lal Bangla'. Rather this house is constructed with clay and then painted with red colour as a danger signal," he said.
The Bhunjias are a primitive tribe of Odisha and 75 per cent of the total population of the tribe lives in the uphill range of Sunabeda plateau in Nuapada.
A total of 614 families mostly belonging to Chakotia Bhunjia community are living here. The Bhunjias believe in many Gods and Goddesses who are worshipped in different months on different occasions.
However, for the last few years, the Chakotia Bhunjia community villages have become a hotbed of Maoist activities. This aboriginal tribal community is now feeling suffocated amidst the activities of the red ultras and the operations by the jawans who are keeping an eye on the movement of each other. These tribal people are continuously struggling to make a living for themselves by remaining under the protection of their presiding deity ‘Maa Sunadei’.
Like Chakotia Bhunjia tribals, several traditions are specific to certain tribes and remain confined to their area of existence, (mainly in the forests).
