Maghe Turuk

Understand

Where Maghe Turuk comes from

Maghe Turuk is the cold-month warrior-festival of the Adivasi community of Jharkhand, celebrated on the first day of the month of Magh (January-February, the coldest month of the Indian year). The festival is named after the traditional cold-month camp-and-parade of the Mundari warriors who would gather each year to review their weapons and celebrate the new year. The Maghe Turuk is one of the principal celebrations of the Munda and Oraon communities and is accompanied by the warrior-dance ceremony of the Adivasi forces. The festival is historically associated with the celebration of the birth of Birsa Munda (the Munda revolutionary leader, born 15 November 1875 — the public celebration is on the first Maghe day).

How it's practiced

Maghe Turuk is performed by the men of the Munda and Oraon community in a warrior parade and martial-dance at the village square. The dance is military in character — the men perform coordinated formations (the line, the wheel, the charge, the salute, the duel) with mock weapons (the sword, the shield, the axe, the lance) while the drummers beat the dhak and the dhol in strict ceremonial rhythm. The dance is also performed at the central stadium of the town (the Randhiri Talab) in the larger cultural gatherings. Costume is the warrior-Munda dress — the dhoti, the colourful turban and the bandolier of small brass bells. The dance is performed at the morning and afternoon of the Maghe Turuk day, with the village assembling after for the shared festival-food.