R. S. Bisht: Folklore and Archaeology
The interpretation of human cultural past with the aid of folklore and traditions is an important aspect in understanding the various facets of intangible heritage. The folklore and traditions are transmitted from generation to generation and preserved in loosely held rituals and cultural traits, some of which survive even today.
The piercing of body rituals, applying ochre colours or turmeric on human body can be cited as examples. In particular, application of ochre colours on human body can be traced back to at least Neolithic Mehrgarh of 7th millennium BCE, wherein in a female burial, evidence of such rituals, along with crushing of haematite in the form of mortar with traces of haematite can be seen.
In the same burial, the female holds a triangular terracotta figurine in her palm, which in turn is placed in front of her face. The triangular terracotta figurine and its later evolutions clearly indicate creation of various human forms representing a fertility cult, associated with agriculturalists.
As the early settlers were the precursors of domestication of plants and animals, who depended on an agro-pastoral economy, it can be understood on the evolution of various rituals and ritualistic objects associated with their activities (Period II to VII, suggest that it is a symbol of plough, associated with field farming). Often the rituals being intangible in nature are not preserved in archaeological record while a few material records do indicate its prevalence. The best examples in this regard, as cited above, are the female figurines of Harappan period, in particular from the Punjab and Sindh sites.
The preservation of these traditions, association of rituals with agricultural economy, can also be seen in later periods. The best example in this regard is the tradition of how Rama relieved Ahalya(lit. unclitiviable or uncultivated land, which becomes to life) from the curse of her own husband, and his marriage with Sita (lit. plough mark on the ground), who is associated with the Earth, and in turn expansion of agricultural economy in Mithila region. Both perhaps points towards the beginning of agriculture in North Bihar, i.e. Mithila region, and its king Janakbeing the foster father of Sita.In the SatapataBrahmana, a folklore, most probably based on historical facts, indicates migration of people from the banks of River Saraswati to trans-Sadanira (River Ghandak).
Several such instances folk traditions may be traced in the archaeological record, in particular wherein written records are not available, as in the case of Neolithic and Harappan periods. For example, a cylinder seal from Kalibangan depict two males striking each other with a spear and a woman is standing between the two, and a deity who may be tentatively called horned man tiger is witnessing it.
This narrative scene reminds of Shumba and Nishumba fighting for Mohini who is Vishnu himself. The depiction of man tiger is a reminder of Narasimha Vishnu. The depiction of conflict can also be observed from terracotta tablets from Mohenjo-daro wherein killing of a buffalo in front of a seated deity in yogic posture. Similarly, the depiction of a supernatural scene of holding tigers in each hand by a deity is a reminder of the epic of Gilgamesh episode a folk story of Mesopotamia, which seems to have travelled to Indus valley when both the regions were having close trade relations.
Performance of certain rituals, which could not be observable in archaeological record, may be understood from the present day tribal and primitive communities, who might have inherited them through generations.
An example in this regard is the placing of multitude of terracotta horse figurines on a platform to perform various rituals. Such kind of rituals can be observed even today. One such example could be seen from Ambaji (Gujarat), which is associated with smelting of copper ores, wherein a platform erected at a site full of copper slags, crucibles, discarded raw materials, vitrified ceramic portions of furnace, etc.
It is interesting to note that some of the places mentioned in the epics related to the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata are all steeped in antiquity. There are numerous folk traditions, which also led to rediscovery of ancient cities and towns like Vaishali, Ahichchhatra.
A few rituals and traditions that are deeply rooted in the Indian culture and the interpretation for understanding the cultural vestiges of the past.