Baiga tribe of
Mandla District in
Madhya Pradesh. The word ‘ras-nawa’ means eating honey. This festival is celebrated in memory of Nanga Baiga, the legendary ancestor of the tribe.
It is believed that many deaths will occur, if honey is consumed before this festival. On the festival day, the tribal people collect honey from the forest. Temporary shelters are prepared from ‘mohati’ and ‘anhera’ shrubs, the flowers of which yield honey. Millet is prepared in vessels made from gourd skin by the ‘shaman’, the tribal witch doctor. Freshly acquired honey is poured into these vessels. The honey from these vessels is then distributed.
