Caryota Urens: From Vegetable Manifestation of God to Sacred Tree of the Shamans of Odisha
Stefano Beggiora
Roots of Wisdom, Branches of Devotion: Plant Life in South Asian Traditions June 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1558/equinox.30836 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Ethnography Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Lanjia Saoras in the Rayagada district of southern Odisha |
| Key findings | Reports that toddy, a fermented palm wine extracted primarily from the jaggery palm (Caryota urens L.), is a characteristic feature of Lanjia Saora tribal culture in southern Odisha and, beyond its social aspect, holds central importance in a wide range of shamanic rituals and in ancestor worship. |
Abstract
Stefano Beggiora presents his extensive fieldwork among the Lanjia Saoras in the Rayagada district of southern Odisha. In particular, he discusses the ritual use of local palm wine (toddy) extracted primarily from the jaggery palm (Caryota urens L.). The custom of drinking this fermented beverage is a characteristic feature of the tribal culture of this region. Besides its social aspect, toddy is of central importance in a wide range of shamanic rituals and in the worship of ancestors.