The poor Kolam families of Kothapalli Kolamguda in Adilabad district are on the edge in the wake of three children dying of food poisoning on May 8. The Kolams, who are one among the tribes classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), fear that more ill-luck could be in store for them.
The superstitious nature of the Adivasis has them believe that the tragedy struck as someone cast an evil eye on them. They are now searching for a bhaktak/devari or a priest to ‘exorcise’ the evil that has gripped their habitation.
In the process, they would end up spending a few thousand rupees to appease their gods as per the instructions of a bhaktak. The worst that could happen to them is that if a priest suggests them to vacate their village.
“This time, we are not going away, calamity or no calamity,” asserted Kodapa Marubai. “Inexplicable deaths of our compatriots and cattle had us vacate Muradiguda (close to Kothapalli) and shift to Kothapet-Kawal in Jannaram in the present day Mancherial district and later to Pilateguda, also in Narnoor, Bhutai in Bazarhatnoor mandal, and back to this place about 10 years ago,” she pointed out. “Our backwardness is the main reason for our superstitions,” opined Kolam elder Athram Raju, who is a former sarpanch of Gowri in Jainoor mandal of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district. “The government should appoint a special Kolam Development Officer like in the past so that our people get the much-needed special attention,” he suggested. Mr. Raju was unaware of the post of Assistant Project Officer (PVTGs) at Utnoor Integrated Tribal Development Agency. “Thurst should be given to education, and awareness camps on superstitions should be held,” he added. The superstitious nature of the PVTG tribe often has villagers shifting locations. There have been instances like the current one of Sidam Mutha of Jhari Kolamguda in Kerameri mandal of KB Asifabad district wherein a few villagers have branded him a sorcerer and are harassing him constantly. In 2017, Sidam Poshiga, a Kolam from Chinnuguda in the same mandal, was killed by his compatriots who suspected him of practicing witchcraft. “Let the Kothapalli incident be a new beginning towards creating awareness on the issue,” the ex-sarpanch of Gowri observed.
