Sidhis are a tribe of African origin living mostly in the Uttara Kannada, Haveri and Dharwad districts of Karnataka. Believed to be brought to India as slaves by the Portuguese in the medieval period, Sidhis fled Goa unable to bear the torture, including inquisition, of their masters. Having fled Goa, they settled in the deep forests of Mundgod, Yellapur, Hangal and Karwar taluks.
Sidhis evolved their own unique cultural practices, enriching them with a variety of songs and dances. It is heartening to note that while various tribes and communities have given up many of their cultural traits, Sidhis are still preserving most of them. Marriage is one such celebration where symbolic and meaningful cultural practices are on display.
A Sidhi marriage is usually a week-long celebration, which begins with the engagement. This event is called placing 'Eide', which is nothing but a betel leaf on which are placed jaggery, sugar, betel nut and coconut pieces. Five sets of Eides are specially prepared to be given to the bridegroom's family. One man each from either parties breaks a dry betel nut with his teeth and formally announces the consent of the party for the marriage. While five sets of special Eides and two coconuts are given to the groom's family, one set each is given to every family present. The elders put a little sugar and water in the mouths of both the bride and the groom, wishing them sweetness and joy in their married life.
Next event is 'Mehendi'. It takes place two days before the marriage. Colourful designs of mehendi are drawn on the palms and hands of the one getting married. Women accompany this event with the singing of a series of songs.
The following day is known as 'Haldi', when the ceremony begins late in the evening. Close relatives of the bride or the groom honour the parents of the one getting married with gifts. This is to acknowledge and appreciate their love and struggle in bringing up their son or daughter. Then comes the important occasion when all present there apply haldi (turmeric) and coconut milk to the bride and the groom. Many meaningful songs are also sung during the ceremony. The ceremony symbolises the end of bachelorhood. After the application of haldi and coconut milk, both the bride and the groom are given a bath by close relatives, with the accompaniment of songs. The celebration continues throughout the night. All those present at the ceremony dance to the beat of the drum called damaam, singing melodious and jumpy tunes.
The day of marriage begins with the distribution of gifts to close relatives in appreciation of their love and support. Then both the bride and the groom are dressed up for the religious celebration of marriage, which is generally held either in a church or a temple, depending on the religion of those getting married.
The marriage among Sidhis is held in the bride's place and the receiving of the bridegroom into the bride's house is an event in itself. For this ceremony, called 'Ghar Bharauni' (enriching the house), a symbolic mantap is raised a little away from the house where both the parties meet. Five men each from either party exchange coconuts and greet one another. The bride's people thus receive the bridegroom's party into theirs. Later the bridegroom is made to stand outside the main mantap and his legs are symbolically washed by the bride's sister, for which she is honoured by the bridegroom with gifts. The bride's brother then holds the bridegroom's ears and leads him forward. This action is called 'kaan piuli' (squeezing the ears).
Following this is the highly symbolic ceremony of casting out all evil spells, if any, from the bridegroom. This is done by the bride's relatives with five different elements: haldi, limestone, mixture of haldi and limestone, soot, and rice balls.
Finally, the bride is ceremoniously offered to the bridegroom. This is the unique privilege of the bride's uncle who carries her on his shoulders and places her beside the bridegroom. The whole event is meaningful and symbolic, as it is emotional. The bride is reached to the groom's house either on the same day or the next, depending on the distance to his house.
Every single cultural trait in the Sidhi marriage is unique and meaningful. They conduct them with utmost precision and care. We only wish and hope that they preserve them for their progeny, even as the effects of globalisation are reflected in their lifestyle.