Totemic culture of adivasis



The system of republics ( Gana ) is the main basis of Adivasi culture. The deity of each Gana is different and is worshipped by Adivasi in form of plants and animals. They consider these totems as sacred, and their identity is based according to their totem. Ravana had also a totem of Raksha Gana of Adivasi and his totem was a palm tree. That Ravana and his followers were related with totemic culture can be seen from the examples of Ravana (palm tree), Shurpanakha (palm tree), Tadaka (palm tree), Maricha (shal tree), Shabari (tree of berries). His coworkers were worshiping animals totems for like Hanuman, Wali, Sugreeva, Angad (all monkeys), Jambuwants (bear), Jatayu (vulture). Adivasis worshiping trees are called Maravi.
Ravana was against Vedic Yajnyas : Basically, Ravana was a worshiper of nature and used to hate the Aryans Rishis and deities killing their totems in yajnyas. Manu enjoins killing of animals in Yajnyas as Madhupark. It therefore follows that Ramayana is a story of conflict between Adivasi culture versus Aryans culture.
Ramaswami Periyar observed that Ravana was hating Vedic deities and Rishis because they were indulging in cruelly killing of animals and there was no other reason.
Raksha culture of Rakshasas : Mahatma Ravana had started a struggle against the Vedic Yajnyas to protect the culture of Adivasis and his Rakshasa gana. "Raksha" means to protect. Acharya Chatursen named his book "Wayam Raksham", meaning "we protect". Aryans always hated the Adivasis as seen by depicting them as enemies of Gods and men.

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