Report of 4th Adivasi Mass Wedding Celebration, April 2013
In order that the Adivasi Society could maintain their identity and culture and that the poor do not mortgage their land to marry off their children simply for show off purpose, or take money on interest
and eventually fall prey to debts, an elaborate Adivasi Mass Wedding Celebration was held by SHAKTI trust, Songadh, Vankvel, Songadh taluka, Tapi district on 26th April, 2013. This was the result of the collective efforts put in by Adivasi Mahamandal Charitable Trust, 7
Adivasi Sarvangi Vikaas Sanghs (Integrated Development of Adivasis) Yuvamanch and Legal Aid and Human Rights Centre run by Shakti group. Adivasi Mahamandal Charitable Trust, 7 Adivasi Sarvangi Vikaas Sanghs and SHAKTI-LAHRC are operational in Tapi district’s Nizar, Uchhal,
Songadh, Vyara talukas, Surat district’s Mandvi, Mangrol, Umarpada talukas and Navsari district’s Vansada taluka. They operate with the aim of spreading legal, economic, social, educational and cultural
awareness amongst Adivasi and nomadic tribal community and make them aware of their rights so that they can help in the formation of a just society. As a part of this, 4th Adivasi Mass Wedding celebration was
organized on 26th April, 2013 by SHAKTI Trust, Songadh. The procession started from opposite Raj Hotel at 9.30 am. Sounds of Adivasi instruments like drums, dovdu and Adivasi folk songs rented the air.
An elaborate dancing procession also followed and it reached the stage at 11 am. At 11.30 am marriage ceremonies were performed as per Adivasi tradition. At 2 pm wedding gifts were given and marriage
certificates were distributed. At 2.30 pm congratulatory messages were given to the newly wed and closing ceremony was held for the programme. At the end of it, a sumptuous meal was served to all those
present. Adivasi community has preserved the values of the society by getting together various tribes on different occasions. This mass wedding was an example of this wherein 51 couples of Gamit, Chaudhary,
Vasava, Vasave, Valvi, Nayka and Konkani adivasi tribes stepped into their newly wedded life by tying the sacred knot of marriage. To encourage and bless these young newly wedded couples, around 10,000 people attended this ceremony.
Donation was raised to gift the newly wedded couples in the Adivasi Mass Wedding and to make it a success. Through the efforts of trustees of Surat, Leaders of Surat-Vesu village, elected representatives of Tapi, Surat and Navsari districts, office bearers of 7 Adivasi Sarvangi Vikaas Sanghs, businessmen and members, doctors,
government officers and government societies, donation was raised and cooker, bedu, tava (pan), mangalsutr, saree, pant piece, tapeli, pavali, teaspoon, tablespoon, etc 17 items were gifted in kanyadaan. In this manner it was through the efforts of the people at large that this wedding ceremony was successful.
To bless the newly wedded couples and to grace this auspicious occasion, MLA of Sonagdh-Uchchhal Shri Kantibhai Gamit, Head of Panchayat of Tapi district Mavjibhai Chaudhary, Head of Panchayat of Songadh taluka Shrimati Ushaben Gamit, Head of Adivasi Mahamandal Charitable Trust Navinbhai Chaudhary, Office bearers of Loksangathan (Peoples organization), businessmen, Head of Tadvi Society Shri Sonsinghbhai Tadvi and business member Shri Bheekhabhai Tadvi, as well as leaders of different villages and members of SHAKTI parivaar (family) were present. They blessed the couples and presented them with gifts.
At the end, management of the entire programme was done by Harishbhai Gamit and Rekhaben Chaudhary. All the people who helped in making this event a success and all the organizers were thanked by Rineshbhai Gamit and the programme was concluded. Jai Adivasi
Jaago Adivasi.
News Photos By
SHAKTI-LAHRC, Songhad, Gujarat
