Content Details

1.1 Identification of the element

Knowledge and practice about nature and the universe

1.2 Name of the element, as used by the community or group concerned

Karam Utsav, a harvest festival

1.3 Short, maximally informative title (including indication of domain(s))

Karam or Karma is a harvest festival celebrated by the Orao community in Bangladesh. . It is dedicated to the worship of Karam-Devta (Karam-Lord/God), the god of power, youth and youthfulness.

1.4 Community(ies)/group(s) that recognize the element as part of their cultural heritage

Orao, an indigenous community.

1.5 Physical location(s) of the element/how often it is practiced

Thakurgaon District

1.6 Short description (max. 200words)

This festival celebrated for good harvest. Nine type of seeds planted in basket such as rice, wheat, corn etc which is called Jawa. Girl take care of these seeds for 7-9 days. In festival girls fast throughout day.[5] In the ritual, people go to the jungle accompanied by groups of drummers and cut one or more branches of the Karam tree after worshiping it. The branches are usually carried by unmarried, young girls who sing in praise of the deity. Then the branches are brought to the village and planted in the center of the ground which is plastered with cow-dung and decorated with flowers. A village priest(called Pahan) offers germinated grains and liquor in propitiation to the deity who grants wealth and children. A fowl is also killed and the blood is offered to the branch. The village priest then recites a legend to the villagers about the efficacy of Karam puja. After puja, in the next morning the karam branch immersed in the river. Around Ranchi, tribes like the ho, mundari, kharia, panch pargania, kurukh, khortha, santhali, nagpuri and kurmali worship trees during this festival (as they are a source of livelihood), and they pray to mother nature to keep their farmlands green so that they get a rich harvest. Karam Devta is the God of power, youth and youthfulness, is worshipped during the festival. The devotees keep a day-long fast and worship the branches of karam and sal. Girls celebrate the festival for the welfare, friendship and brotherhood by exchanging a jawa flower. Hariya is an important component of the festival. A cup of Hariya is given to all as it is considered an energizing tonic which ensures good physical and mental health.[6

1.7 Domain of the element (select one or more/suggest alternative domain)

Oral traditons and expressions
Performing arts
Social customs and traditions
Knowledge and practices related to nature and universe

2. Characteristics of the element

2.1 Practitioners(s)/performer(s): roles, age, gender, social status, and/or professional category etc)

2.2 Other tradition bearers (individuals/groups and their roles)

2.3 Language(s), register(s), speech level(s) involved

2.4 Associated tangible elements ( if any)

2.5 Associated intangible elements (if any)

2.6 How are women and people of other genders associated with this ICH element

2.7 Division of labour during the practice of aforementioned ICH element

2.8 Customary practices governing access to the element or to aspects of it

2.9 Modes of transmission

2.10 Organizations concerned (non-governmental organizations and others)

3. State of the element (viability)

3.1 Threats to the enactment (if any)

3.2 Threats to the transmission (if any)

3.3 Threat to associated tangible elements and resources (if any)

3.4 Viability of associated intangible elements (if any)

3.5 Safeguarding measures in place (if any)

4. Data gathering/documentation, Consent and preparation of inventory entries

4.1 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying

4.2 Restrictions, if any, on use of data collected

5. Resource Person

5.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives

5.2 Date(s) and place(s) of data gathering

Date :
Place(s) :

6. Safeguarding techniques

6.1 Existing safeguarding techniques in the community for the safeguarding of the ICH element

6.2 Suggestions for safeguarding of the ICH element from the community

7. References to literature, discography, audiovisual materials or archives

7.1 References to/in literature

7.2 Audiovisual materials or archives

7.3 Discography or archives

8. Modalities for updating the information contained in the inventory entry

8.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives, who compiled the inventory entry

8.2 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying

8.3 Date of community consent to include the entry on an inventory

8.4 Present condition of the cultural element

9. Community suggestions

(a)Brief description of suggestions for safeguarding of the element by community members/experts/holders, if any

(b)Brief description of restrictions on use of data collected, if any