NUAKHAI: A FESTIVAL OF TRADITION

By

Sadhwi Suman Dash

The western parts of Odisha express their brotherhood, joy, livelihood, and togetherness in a very vibrant way by celebrating their agricultural festival called NUAKHAI. People staying away from homes-native places and, their soil gather on this day of every year to celebrate their joy, and happiness in a very traditional and authentic way.

Nuakhai originally means “NEW GRAINS” which marks the beginning of the harvest season. Months of hard work and labor are celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by offering the first handle of new grains to Goddess Samleshwari at the Samlei Mandir, Sambalpur. This traditional practice of offerings indicates the gratitude and thankfulness of the people to gods and ancestors for the bountiful harvest. Nuakhai is closely related to the cycle of Paddy cultivation which is the primary crop of the region. NUakhai is mostly celebrated in the districts of Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundergarh, Balangir, Kalahandi, and some of the neighboring regions.

The day following Ganesh Puja is the day when Nuakhai is celebrated in every household. The elders of the household gather all the family members at their respective ancestral households on this auspicious day. Followed by offering prayers and Nabanna i.e. New rice to the deity of the respective household the festival of merry-making starts. Successively, the nabanna is offered as Prasad to the other family members by the head of the family and the younger seeks blessings for prosperity and well-being from the elders and deity after having the first bite of the new harvest. This festival symbolizes the bond between the family members, the emotional connection, and heartfelt gratitude.

After the completion of the rituals of Nabanna, the festival is celebrated by having authentic Odia cuisine. Following the feats start the various traditional folk dances – Dalkhai, Rasarkeli, and a few Sambalpuri songs.

On that day, every single person meets and greets each other by stating “Nukhai Juhar” which is an integral part of the tradition.

Nukhai is an emotion, it is just more than a festival. It is a festival which every single family member awaits to return to their homeland, a day away from the chaotic life. The day itself fills a person’s heart with more affection and respect for the age-old agricultural practices. The Western people on this special occasion dress up in the traditional Sambalpuri attires to mark the rich heritage of the Sambalpuri handloom. Nukhai is no longer confined to the borders of western Odisha only, it has reached the urban centers across the country and is observed as a festival of enthusiasm, fun, devotion, tradition, and culture.

Nukhai has been able to put forward its impact over generations and generations symbolizing the essence of unity and cultural pride. Nukhai in its true essence is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit of the people of western Odisha.

Sadhwi Suman Dash

Assistant Professor

Dept of Physics

Kalinga University