Kukana

Brief Details of Kukana

Kukana

Unlike other tribes, there has been no legend or no prevalent belief about origin of this tribe. Therefore, special efforts are required to trace out the historical background of this tribe.

One inference can be drawn very easily from the name 'Kukana', and it can be considered if they have migrated from Konkan patti in Thana District (Maharashtra). Even to-day, some Kukana's are still there. But then, why did they migrate from this place to Gujarat? There has been a story running. Nevertheless, they look like Konkan people and there is hardly any difference between these two communities. In both these areas, people look alike; they have dark complexion and they have height around 5' - 6" and their nose is also broad and flat. The women have little fair complex on as compared to men folk.

Population

The konkana people are found in the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnatak (Mysore) as well as Union Territories of Dadra-Nagar Haveli. In Gujarat, they are mainly found in the districts a Valsad, Surat, Dangs, Bharuch, Vadodara, Sabarkantha, Ahmedabad, Mahesana, Kheda etc. As per 2001 census, Kunkana population was 3,29,496 (1,61,537 Male and 1,63,954 Female). Kunkana constitute 4.40 percent of total tribal population of the State of Gujarat.

Residence / Household Kit

In rural area, in a street, there is a group of 5-7 or 15-20 houses of Kukana. In forest area, they build their houses on a leveled land. Here the houses are scattered. Timber wood is used in construction of houses. Generally they build the house during summer. Friends, relatives, village people extend helping hand in construction of house. Around the constructed house, they make the walls made from bamboos or 'Baru' or 'Kathur' chips. Numbers of rooms are made as per requirement. The roofs are covered with indigenous or manglori tiles, or grass and leaves. Often there are metal sheets or RCC slabs; particularly in those houses owned by people in employment category of occupation. Those who keep animals also construct a small stable near the house or attached to a house.

Kankas are poor people. Mostly they live in hutments. The utensils are kept as par their requirements. They are made from Brass, copper, glass, plastic, clay etc. Under the influence of modernization, they also keep Tape recorder, T.V., Bicycle, scooter, Cots, Mattresses table, Chair etc. Besides they have hunting tools, fishing net, electric motor, kerosene lamp, baskets, flouring mills box, cup-board etc. according to their economic conditions.

Kunkanas are mostly agriculturists or work on farm etc. The agricultural instruments include plough, sickle, axe, bullock cart, tractor, Vavaniyo etc.

Dress

Traditionally men in the lower part of body put on only a brief. On upper part of the body, they put on a waist-coat or a bush-shirt and a cap or piece of cloth on head. Under influence of urbanization, they put on Bush-shirt, pant or Dhoti, Shirt and cap. Male youth put on pant and shirt. Children wear a half pant and bush shirt. Their hairs are usually long. Women put on saree in Maharashtrion style keeping both legs apart. The upper part is covered by a choli. Female youth put on a saree, blouse and petticoat. Young girls put on Frock or a punjabi dress.

Kunkana people wear silver or metal made ornaments. They are purchased from a hat-bajar. More ornaments are put on during festival days. Women put on ear-rings, nose ring, and anklet on hand, silver bangles and waist belt. Usually ornaments are made from silver. Those who can afford also wear a golden chain; but poor people have nothing else but a silver chain.

Dialects

Kunkas speak their own Kunkani speech. It is like a marathi-mix language. The Dhodiya, Varlis and Kunkana have communication through their own dialects.

Food and Drink

The food includes cereals and beans/pulses such on Nagli, Banti, Varai, Kodra (rice substitute) and other beams. Besides they use Juwar and Rice to make loafs, Urad and Tuver Dal and Vegetables. They eat meat of rabbits and Tetar, Usually meat and liquor or wine made from mahuda, jaggery, Umara fruits or cashew nut etc. are served during marriages and festivals. They are also found addicts of tea-tobacco, bidi, kawo etc.

Tattoes

Kunkanas are as fond of Tattooing as they are of ornaments. They have tattoos of the picture of saint or God like Ram, Hanuman, Shrikrishna etc. This, according to them adds to their beauty.

Education

As per 2001 census, the level of education among Konkanas was 51.46% kunkas have their residence both in rural as well as urban areas.

Religion

Kunkanas believe in Gods, Goddess and their vivid forms, and worship them in bad and good days of their life. In the enfire life cycle, they always have faith in their God. They also worship Mavlidevi, Kansari Devi, Vagh Dev, Vala Kakar, Goval Dev, Simariya Dev, Devli Jali, Naran Dev, Gram Devta, Grih Devta, Hirua, Halag, Baram Dev etc. They celebrate the festivals like Holi-Diwali, Navratri, Janmastmi etc.

Occupation

Kunknas are basically agriculturists, but due to geographical conditions as well as limitation of land resource, they are also engaged in agricultural labour, forest labour, animal husbandry, labour work in factories, casual labour, diamond polishing etc. to earn their livelihood.

Caste Panch

The caste - punch of Kunkana is responsible for maintaining of a system; organizational discipline, oneness among the tribe, equality, reformation, handling of issues and finding solutions and improving the system for prevention of crime in the tribe, Kunkana don't believe in breaking off the relationship among a tribe or to blame the social system. Panch is effectively handling the cases of internal conflicts, divorce, religious festivals, marriage etc.

Social Customs

Kunkanas have mostly settled in South Gujarat. They have mostly settled around forests and hills. Kunkanas believe in Hindu religions and follow Hindu customs. The social system is associated with its economic conditions.

A Woman in Menstruation

When a woman is in menstruation, it is called sitting apart. She is not touched. She cannot sit on a cot nor can she move in kitchen. She is restricted to work, cook, offer worship or attend to agricultural work.

Pregnancy

Vomiting sensation, nautiating, disliking food etc. are sure signs of pregnancy. They know that pregnancy is due to sexual relations, but also consider it to be grace of God. If therefore, a woman doesn't become pregnant in a couple of years after marriage, they keep vows at the doorstep of Goddess, though Bhoova.

Delivery

Usually for first delivery, a woman goes to her parents place. It is done through a trained Dai or in a hospital. Sometimes now, a woman gets her delivery in the in-laws’ place also. The Dai is given food-Ghee and jaggery, but now she is paid in cash.

Panchuro and Giving Name to a Child

On fifth day of delivery, there is a panchura function. Some women from a neighborhood are also called. The child is made to take a bath. She is moved here and there. A Dai and other women, through ringing a plate, gives him best advices in life to be obedient, to be bold, to be clever etc. The child is handed over to mother. The name is given by father’s sister. Usually name is given of the day on which the child is born or of the day of any nearest festival. The modern parents give name on the basis of zodiac sign as ascertained by Brahmin.

Engagement

Usually in Kunkanas, the engagement is done when both a boy and girl attain majority. The consent of a girl and her parents are essential. The boy’s party puts a demand; which is known as 'Pen Bharu'. The engagement is known as 'Nani Pan', but when the engagement is not realized into marriage, it is called 'Moti Pan'. On the day of engagement, they decide about deive of marriage, the kind of give and take, clothes, no. of persons etc. There are no child marriages among Kunkanas.

Marriage

The boy and girl are applied the Haldi-paste. The women observing fast takes boiled beams. The marriage festival starts now. Dances are in plenty. The marriage party starts in a truck/tempo or tractor in the morning. They are welcome there at bride's place. They are taken to place of their rest. The musical instruments are played and the bride is brought to wedding place sitting on shoulders of some body. The people are offered liquor, Tadi and Bidi etc. The saptpadi is performed by married women of the society. But now a day, it is done by a Brahmin. Sweet dish is served. The marriage party takes leave in the evening. The day is decided to bring the bride back for a couple of days.

Re-Marriage

A widow can remarry. It is advisable if she marries younger brother of his deceased husband, but she cannot marry an elder brother of the husband.

Divorce

If a Woman is of bad character, quarrelsome, careless in household work, if her children are constantly dying, if she is supposed to be a witch, the divorce are granted.

Death

Weeping after death is a ritual. The family members weep loudly. The village people are informed about death with a drum. Death is known as Maiyat.

A dead body is made to lie down on a stone-grinder. If it is a man it is covered by a white cloth and if it is a woman, it is covered by a red cloth. The dead body is dressed and made to lie down in a funeral bier. It is greeted with flowers, rice, money and the weapons like axe, Dhariya (an instrument for cutting) are keep with him, so that witch doesn’t harass him. The son gives fire to the fire-wood heap after making him sleep over it. After this is over, the family members take bath and return home. The custom of Barma (feeding the relatives on 12th day) is therein this tribe. The educated persons, now a day, offer shraddha like Hindus.

Special

Madal dance is their great entertainment item. Besides they have fairs, dances, Diwali dances, ‘Gher’ dances etc. are famous. They worship Hanuman and Vaghdev.