Spiritual trad ition of Kavady lives on
First celebrated during indenture, the festival is attracting enthusiastic new devotees of all ages
RELIGIOUS culture affected every aspect of life of our indentured ancestry. Folk traditions from many parts of India brought to South Africa by our forbears transcended regional, cultural and linguistic differences.
According to Professor Goolam Vahed, “Indian festivals and rituals are visible markers of racial and ethnic identity and strengthen the links between individuals and the communities in which they live”.
In the early days of indenture, people travelled long distances to the temples and mosques with clothing and utensils and stayed there for several days until the festival was over.
Three religious “festivals” dominated the cultural activities of many of the indentured families. Moharrum, hurtfully called “Coolie Christmas”, Kavady and fire-walking during Mariamman prayers were the primary forerunners of religious expression.
Sadly, the colonialists saw these important religious activities as “entertainment curiosities” and often prevented workers taking the day off. In this article, we focus on the Kavady festival, which continues today.
Karthigasen Gopalan’s Masters dissertation on “Caste, Class and Community” points out: “The roots of Kavady, can be traced back many hundreds of years in India. Devotees carry a long and colourfully-decorated bamboo pole with offerings in worship of Lord Muruga, a popular deity among South Indians, especially Tamils.”
Kavady was observed in the Tamil months of Thai (January and February) and Chitray (April and May). Numerous temples in South Africa attracted large numbers of devotees during Kavady.
These included the Shree Vaithianathar Easperar Temple in the umgeni Road complex, built as a wood-andiron structure in 1885 and replaced by a brick building built during 1910 to1919.
Another important site was at Mariamman Temple in Isipingo Rail, built by Kandasamy Moodley in 1870.
Kavady remains a popular festival among many Hindus of South Indian descent, notwithstanding the number of reformers who tried to end this form of worship.
For our #1860 Project, veteran journalist Subry Govender reflects on this rich tradition that has been passed on over the past 158 years.
This week, tens of thousands of people have again started their preparations for the annual Kavady ceremony. This spiritual occasion has been followed devotedly since 1860 when our ancestors arrived in the then Port Natal to work as indentured labourers on the colonial sugar-cane fields.
When our ancestors arrived here, they not only faced huge social and economic hurdles but their working conditions also made life extremely difficult.
To overcome the oppressive conditions on the sugar cane fields and estates, and the “bossy attitude” of their colonial masters, our forefathers and mothers looked forward to and sought solace in observing their rich spiritual and cultural traditions.
One that stood the test of time is the Kavady ceremony. This year, devotees started their preparations last Saturday for the carrying of Kavady tomorrow.
Some devotees will also participate in the carrying of Kavady on January 27, when they find it more suitable to carry out their spiritual obligations.
The observance of this rich spiritual tradition has grown so much that today the ceremony is observed not only in most of the coastal towns and villages of Kwazulu-natal but in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, East London and Cape Town.
Devotees of all ages show their commitment by not only carrying the holy bamboo structures but by participating in the singing of devotional songs. Many of the devotees also show their faith by pulling chariots of all sizes and shapes.
Members of Bhajan groups also provide support to devotees by singing religious songs and hitting musical drums.
Entire families, including young children and teenagers, participate in the Kavady ceremonies with all their passion, commitment and total belief in the deity – Lord Muruga. The devotees and their families turn up in huge numbers at the temples despite the scorching heat that characterises most days when the Kavady ceremonies are held.
At first, Kavady was mainly observed by people of south-indian Tamil Hindu origin, but today it is observed by the Tamil and Hindi linguistic groups, some Muslims and also some African people.
From the remote rural village of Langabelele, south of Port Shepstone, to temples in areas such as Sezela, emkhomazi, Umzinto, and Park Rynie, Kwadukuza, othongathi, Mount Edgecombe, Phoenix, Durban, Chatsworth, Merebank, and Isipingo, a hive of activity prevails during this time.
A trustee of the Shri Siva Subramaniar Alyam in Umdloti Drift, Verulam, Professor Chandru Kisten, said there was an upsurge in the involvement of young people – both men and women – in the Kavady ceremonies.
“There is resurgence among the people, especially the young, in their traditions and cultures because of the good work being carried out by all the temples and organisations,” he said.
Kisten said they found young people were becoming more and more committed to the cultures and traditions of their ancestors.
He added: “You will even find the youngsters now not only piercing and carrying the Kavady, but there’s a real belief in Kavady.
“The youngsters come forward and assist in all spheres. The fact that they come with their parents and pray together as a family is an indication that more and more people are becoming spiritually inclined.
“This tradition started by our ancestors has continued and we must now continue to strengthen and promote the Kavady ceremony and other cultural traditions.”
Another official at Umdloti Drift Temple, Reggy Naidoo, has been associated with the Kavady ceremony from a young age since the early 1940s. His father at that time was a senior official of the temple.
“We are continuing with this ceremony because it is an important part of our culture and traditions,” he said.
Added Danny Chetty, a former educator, who has been involved in the Kavady ceremony annually: “This is a rich legacy and we have to ensure that future generations continue with what had been bequeathed to us by our ancestors.
“It is absolutely fantastic to see so many young boys and girls and teenagers participating the Kavady ceremony. We have to encourage all our young people to become involved.”
The #1860Project focuses on deepening non-racialism and highlighting the contributions of the diverse ideological strands in the history of the Struggle for freedom. Authors Choonilall, David, Govender, Naidoo and Naidoo will present weekly segments. The outcome will be a pictorial published by the
1860 Pioneers Foundation in 2020 to coincide with the 160th anniversary of the first Indian indenture. Feedback from readers, especially to identify people or events depicted or to correct the record, is encouraged at kirunaidoo1@gmail.com or Whatsapp 082 940 8163.