Adivasi Gussadis are a special attraction for election campaigns

Adilabad: The Adivasi Gussadi dance troops wearing headgear made of peacock feathers and traditional attire are a special attraction for election campaigns and they are in good demand.

However, the Diwali festival and elections came together this time.

Adivasi Gussadis welcome the political leaders seeking votes, by performing dances. They are a special attraction for public meetings and election campaigns. Adivasis become Gussadis during the Diwali festival, which is the biggest festival for adivasis.

All the major political parties are using them to welcome the top leaders and attract the public to their public meetings and election campaigns. These Gussadis are considered sacred during the Diwali festival.

Offering Gussadi caps to top leaders and wearing them have become a tradition especially at public meetings in the erstwhile Adilabad district.

The Gussadis dance to the traditional drum beats, which is unique.

Mesram Sonerao of Mediguda of Jainad mandal said the traditional Gussadis are special for Diwali and Adivasis consider them as sacred and perform pujas to the Gussadi caps.

He said Adivasis do not use the sacred caps made of peacock feathers and instead use normal Gussadi caps.

Adivasis took out their traditional musical instruments Tudumu, Dappu, Vetti, Parra, Peti, Gummeta and Kodal for use in Gussadi, Dandari and Kolatam dances and Tamasha (skits).

Adivasis become Gussadis by wearing their unique attire and cap made of peacock feathers and carry a small wooden pole called ‘roll’ on Bhogi four days before the Diwali festival.

Gussadis (Adivasi men) visit the neighbouring villages as part of Gussadi or Dandari before Diwali while Adivasi women visit the villages after Diwali and exchange views and fix matches for the prospective brides and grooms in their villages.