Jamatia Hoda
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Jamatia Hoda is the institution that looks after the rights and safeguard of the culture of the Jamatia community. It has head-office in Atharobla in Udaipur town of South Tripura district of Tripura and a branch office at Khejurbagan, Agartala near Sri Krishna Mission School. It has also started a higher secondary school Garia Academy ([1]) in Atharobla (affiliated to CBSE board).
History
Tripura was once a princely State ruled by Kings and it was merged with the Union of India in 1949. There are 19 Tribes in Tripura having their separate entity with diversity, own right and they obstensively are major segments of the social fabric of Tripura with a legitimate share in the State’s unmatched pluralistic. The Jamatias are, in the numerical strength, the third among the 19 Tribes of Tripura. Today, the Jamatias are, like others of their kind, in transition, inevitably exposed, as they are, to the influences of modernity and social forces. Though, the definition of the term Jamatia is still shrouded in mystery, the history of Tripura upholds the existence of the people known as Jamatias. According to Rajmala, the Jamatias were the most important fighting tribes of Tripura during the reign of the early kings. The army constituted by them was called Jamat and from word Jamat, they later on came to be known as Jamatias. Tripura District Gazetteer records, "the term Jamatia has originated from the term Jamayet which means gathering or mobilization". According to Jamatias themselves, the word Jamatia is derived from the word Jama and Twia, Jama means Tax and Twia means not to bear the burden of. Thus the word Jamatia means a person who does not bear the burden of taxes. To some, the appellation Jamatia might have originated because of their dwelling in a congregated way (Jamayet) in a particular geographical area. According to census, population of the Jamatias is now in 2003 around one Lac. Jamatia population census is conducted by the Hoda once in every five years.
Definition
The Highest Stratum/Institution of the Jamatia Community is to be known as HODA and it is a traditional social system and hereinafter called the Highest Council in the society. The extent of this system covers only to the Jamatia Community. So, it is called as JAMATIA HODA. The Rules that regulate the Jamatia Community is called HODA RAIDA. The Jamatia Hoda is an organization, which is above the politics and solidly independent and impartial. Moial (region) & Luku (village) are the lower levels of Institute of the social organization. The ruling of the Hoda is not an object of dishonour. It is constituted to develop the character of the society as well as to make well protected the constitutional rights of India. Therefore, no individual/organisation has the right to criticize or disregard it.
Goria Puja
(1) The Baba Goria is the universal God of all indigenous Tripuris. Goria festival is observed for seven days commencing from last day of Chaitra proceeded by Hari Buisu. The first day of the puja is called Moha Buisu and the day of immersion is called Sena. The articles that are essential during the puja are kept in lock strictly in the house of Kherphang as per the rule of the Goria puja.
As a mark of beginning of Goria puja Chukbar is made strictly before the Goria puja that is seven days before the puja is due. That day the articles that were kept in lock during one year are brought out and immediately the sound of drum is made by beating as a mark of beginning puja followed by playing of flute. In the Jamatia Community, Goria puja is observed in two places with full enthusiasm-
- (A) Bia Gwnang,
- (B) Bia Kwrwi.
The society/institute regulates the rules of the Goria puja.
(2) A group of Bogla is selected to help the pilgrims in their troubles during the period of seven days.
(3) A Mohanta is selected by the Hoda to monitor and guide the Bogla in accordance with the resolution adopted by the Hoda and as per traditional rites.
(4) Two Goria volunteers from each region are selected in every year for maintaining discipline and peace during the Goria puja.
Baba Garia