JOKUMARASWAMI: FOLK DEITY OF RAIN, PROSPERITY, AND FERTILITY

Abstract

India is an ancient nation with diverse cultures, which are articulated and depicted through different tribes, communities, castes, and ethnic groups. Kabbaliga (Koli) and its associated communities are one of the ancient tribal groups found across the subcontinent of India under different names. Culturally and religiously, they are Hindus with diverse traditional beliefs systems and practices. They worship different deities, saints, philosophers, and personalities from different generations together. Jokumaraswami (commonly called Jokumara) is a popular folk deity of these associated communities in both the central and northernregions of Karnataka state. He is believed to be a deity of rain, agricultural prosperity, and well-being. There are numerous folk tales and songs on the origin of Jokumaraswami and his antecedents on earth. The study aims to know about the socio-cultural aspects of the Kabbaliga and its associated communities and the worship of folk deities in Karnataka. Anthropological techniques such as observation, participant observation, and informal interviews were used to gain a better understanding of these associated groups social and cultural lives.