The names of ancient bari groups in Tulunadu are often sound strange as they do not have
any meaning in the languages currently prevailing in the region. Let us examine
the meaning of the bari name “Kirodian” and “Bāghe” - as found in some bari
lineages in the communities of Tulunadu.
Ancient
tribal bari s’
In the earlier posts we have explained that
“bari” lineage groups actually pre-date the formation and recognition of
communities (and castes) in Tulunadu. The word “bari“ means a house in Munda
languages which were existing in Tulunadu before the domination of Tulu
language.
The word bari
means side in Tulu. However, this was not the original meaning of the word
adopted in the Tulu bari system.
The interpretation that bari (=house) tallis with other similar type of lineage systems
prevailing in the surrounding regions. Note that the lineage system similar to
Tulu bari system is known as illam
(=house) in Malayalam in Kerala. Besides, the similar concept of family house
known as “Taravad” inherited from
Buddhist culture also prevails in the West Coast. As a corollary we can presume that “balli” lineage
system prevailing in coastal Kannada areas is a modified form of the word “bari”.
(bari ≥ balli).
Some of the bari
s’ have derived from the names of ancient tribes as and when their members
immigrated and settled in Tulunadu: In other words the immigrants who settled
in Tulunadu in the antiquity were recognized by the particular name given to
their houses. For example: the Bangera bari
has been derived from the Banga tribes. (Post 374).
Totem bari s’
In the early days of civilization, the tribes
formed a collective colony of huts obviously for the sake of community living
as well as for the sake of security against the attack of wild animals and
predators. At the entrance of such
colonies, usually a post or
pillar carrying a specific animal symbol
were placed to identify the totem cult of the colony and distinguish it from
other similar colonies. Thus each colony had its own symbol for identification.
Such animal symbols were known as “totems”.
It is interesting that when people from
specific totem colonies migrated and settled in other areas such as places in
Tulunadu their houses were subsequently recognized by the name of their totems.
Such bari s’ derived from the names of ancient totems in Tulunadu include Sanil or Chanil (≥Chanilannaya) or
Kundachannaya which is named after
the ancient totem of rabbit; Talyanna
or Salian, which is named after the
totem of spider and so on.
Kirodian:
totem tiger
The meaning of the
term “Kirodian” as a bari can be
found in the totems of some of the Munda languages such as Kharia now living in
the State of Madhya Pradesh. The word “Kiro(g)“ means a
tiger in Kharia language, a member of Austro-Asiatic Munda group of languages. There are many evidences for the existence of
Munda communities in the ancient Tulunadu which we have discussed in older
Posts. Therefore, the Kirodian bari
represents the ancient totem of tiger.
.
Baghe:
totem tiger
There are bari
surname variants such as Bage, Bagettan, Bagettannaya, Bage setti, etc in some
of the present day communities of Tulunadu and these are based on the ancient totem
of Baghe. Bāgh (=tiger) is a totem of Bhaina and Savar tribes, members of ancient
Austro- Asiatic Munda tribes.
It is interesting to note that two different
ancient words both representing the ancient totem of the wild animal tiger in
different but related ancient languages exists in the communities of Tulunadu. In a way, these fossil words have survived as
keys to the enigmatic and mysterious ancient history of the Tulunadu.
Assimilation
of cults
Historians have noted that during the evolution
of the cults, the ancient animistic tribal totems have been eventually
adopted and absorbed as vehicles of Gods in our culture. It is evident that the
totem of tiger (variously named in tribal languages), has been adapted as the
vehicle of Goddess of Durga.
This illustration of assimilation of theological
concepts in our land also serves as an example for understanding the
essence of Indian culture which has accommodated itself to embrace the diverse
concepts into its fold during the prolonged course of evolution of heritage and
culture.
R
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