The Pawaras, their Endogamy and Customs: Deciphering the Social Interface though the Folk Narratives

Abstract

Pawara, a major Janjaati in central part of India, have been living their animistic existence nestled around the Satpuda Mountain with diverse type of small hamlets accustomed to the place they habitat in. This Jana has been known for their distinct culture and traditions manifested accompanying folk narrative. Major bulk of their socio-cultural attributes have been preserved and sustained passing them through generations orally.  Indian civilization, in general, is known to maintain clan purity through exogamy, which has been evident in the Pawaras Janas of India as well. Most of the community in India allow matrilineal endogamy, prohibiting the patrilineal, however, the Pawaras forbid both.  Their marriage customs have been conducted distinctively, whereas the ceremonial attributes manifested through oral narrations cradle their indigenous episteme and inherit their cultural heritage.

The present paper would attend Pawaras marriage, as it is one of the three (birth- marriage- death,) ceremonial indicators of any man and his socio-cultural existence, that define his life transitions and manifest socio-cultural interface.