Childhood is often filled with ghost stories and tales of spirits. We grow up hearing about haunted places and rituals designed to ward off evil. But have you ever heard of a culture where spirits are not just feared, but revered and worshipped? In certain villages of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, especially in the Abujhmad region, spirits are given a home, and their presence is celebrated through a unique form of worship.
The tribal communities in the Abujhmad area provide dedicated spaces for spirits and practice regular worship. They extend invitations to these spirits and perform prayers seeking blessings for their families. The tradition of hosting spirits in the Abujhmad villages has persisted for generations. The villagers do not observe Pitra Paksha, believing that they enshrine and honor their ancestors’ spirits within these spirit homes. Ancestral spirits are believed to reside within earthen pots (handis) and are central to their rituals.
This practice is known as ‘Aana Kudma’ within the tribal community, which translates to ‘house of the spirit.’ According to Devlal Dugga, the former Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Scheduled Tribes Commission, the people of these villages firmly believe that the spirits of their ancestors reside in these spaces and are worshipped daily.
Notably, before any wedding in the village, the spirits are invited, and they bestow blessings upon the couple. Additionally, the new harvest is not consumed without first offering to the spirits. Any accidental failure to follow this custom is believed to bring bad luck to the village, which requires apologies and corrective prayers.
Devlal Dugga explained that the tribal community has deep faith in ‘Aana Kudma.’ Each village has a small room, similar to a temple, where an earthen pot (handi) is kept. It is believed that the ancestral spirits of the tribal community reside in this handi. Every household in these villages has a dedicated room for their ancestors. Since the population of a specific clan is often high in these villages, when someone dies, their spirit is placed in Aana Kudma by the clan members, and worship rituals begin.
In addition, these spirits are believed to protect the villagers from evil. Devlal Dugga stated that the divine resides within the spirits themselves. The tribal community reveres their ancestors. Worship of these spirits, along with prayers for blessings, is common during special occasions like festivals and weddings. However, only men are permitted to enter the spirit houses. The entry of women or girls is strictly forbidden. Wedding ceremonies always commence after inviting the spirits.