Adivasis in Adilabad keen to protect their identity

Ushegaon (Adilabad): The Adivasis are making serious efforts to preserve their Gondwana culture and history by installing a Badadev or Pading symbol of pylon in various Adivasi gudems in Telangana.

Such a pylon was recently installed at Ushegaon village in Jainoor mandal and this was first symbol of their traditional god Persa pen in Telangana.

Adivasi leaders say they were planning to install Badadev or pylon in all the Adivasi gudems as it was considered to be a symbol of their unique culture. The installation of such pylons aims at making Adivasi youth familiar to their unique culture and traditions.

Former MLA Atram Sakku said they were planning to install Badadev or pylons in all the Adivasi gudems to show their identity as Adivasis living in that particular place or area. He added that it was high time to protect their identity when Adivasis are under attack from various quarters.

He said Adivasis in Central India worship Badadev or Pading where Adivasis of Telangana worship the same god as Persa pen. They informed that recently Adivasis installed Badadev pylon at Kachargadh area on the borders of Maharashtra and Chhattishgarh. Atram Sakku recalled that Gond kings ruled Adilabad and Chandrapur area in Maharashtra in 18th century.

The 750 number scripted in the Badapen indicates the surnames of Adivasis living in the Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Madhya  Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. Lion on the elephant is the official emblem of erstwhile Gondwana dynasty.

The Badapen pylon also comprises half moon and sun symbols and has a prominent place in Adivasis culture and traditions.

Gondi Dharma Pracharak Sedmaki Seetharam said that most of their festivals and rituals begin based on the movements of the moon and sun and it is traditional knowledge."