Dharavi Koliwada: Syncretic Culture and Converted Christianity
Director: Richa Hushing
Duration: 00:12:32; Aspect Ratio: 1.778:1; Hue: 26.338; Saturation: 0.101; Lightness: 0.253; Volume: 0.416; Cuts per Minute: 20.243; Words per Minute: 0.398
Summary: Christianity existed in India from a really long time, almost as long as it has been in European countries, but the most of the conversions from other religions to Christianity happened due to the traders and rulers that came from the foreign countries. By mid 16th century Portuguese pirates had already taken over some ports around the region – Goa, Daman and Diu. In 1534 they defeated the ruler of Mahim Island and Sultan of Gajarath (Gujarat), they found their first colony in Bombay region. They eventually took over all of the seven islands. But they were mostly interested in keeping control over the sea shores and not in regulating or administrating the inner land settlements. Thus Portuguese converted many people around this area to Christians for the benefit of their trades. Later when Britishers came in 17th century they brought in missionaries who converted many more all over India.
There are many myths around how people were converted from their original religion, but the underline basis of conversion was the use of force. It is said that Britishers came with sword in one hand and cross in another.
Kolis are the original inhabitants of Bombay and they are one of the first communities to have been converted, though even after taking up Christianity, these people have kept their told rituals intact. Apart from attending church prayer, they also take part in all the community festivals and events and their lifestyle is also very similar to other kolis. The most interesting is the Indianised Christian rituals and prayers that the Christians in India follow.
Church prayer
It is said that Christianity exists in India from the time that it existed in Europe. But the major wave of conversion started with the arrival of Portuguese in India. When Britishers came to India in 1600 many more converted to Christianity. Since these people came through the sea route many early conversion cases can be found in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala. The kolis are the original inhabitant of Mumbai they and salt pan workers (now east Indians) came in contacts with the foreigners much earlier than others.
A popular story behind the conversion is that the foreigners had dropped bread in the wells of the village and the people who drank that were socially ostracized from their communities and thus they had no other option but to take to Christianity. It is also believed that they had not put bread, but actually beef was put in the water. This made them impure and not suitable to pray to hindu gods and follow other rituals, according to the rigid hindu rules.
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Church prayer
Even though many took on a new religion it was not easy to adopt a totally different lifestyle and leave behind all that they had followed in the past years. Thus Christians in India are not exclusive and can only be identified from their names; many still follow the Indian style of dressing and living.
The koli women in this clip can be easily mistaken as Hindus. The sarees (Indian dress), mangalsutra (black bead neclake, sign of married woman), bindi (a dot, also sign of marriage) on forehead, bangles in hands, flowers in hair; goes hand in hand with prayers sung to Mother Mary and Jesus.
The missionaries that came to India had to adapt to an Indian version of the Christian rituals. The prayers were translated in the regional languages for them to be able to pray on their own. The idol of Mother Mary here is wearing a saree with her head covered. All this was done to keep the sensibilities of Indians intact while having more and more people adapt to the new faith.
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Church prayer
The place where these koli women are praying is not a church; it is a community praying place with the idol of Mother Mary. The painting behind is telling the story of the Last Supper. The woman in the yellow saree is coordinating the prayer ceremony, she has the rosary in her hand with every bead she chants and the other women follow her.
Many of the countries where the missionaries went like India and countries in Africa had a trend of worshipping female goddess. The earth and soil was also referred as female deities. Thus in these countries Mother Mary was worshipped more and she was considered as an agent to reach Jesus. The churches were also named on Mother Mary.
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Church prayer
Though there are many kolis in Dharavi who have converted to Christianity, but that does not make them any different from other kolis. Apart from praying in church and celebrating all Christian festival, they actively participate in all koli festivals. Be it the annual prayer of the village deity khambadev, or Narial Purnima which is celebrated at the end of monsoon to mark the beginning of the new fishing season. Since Indian Christians do not exist in isolation thus their participation in all local celebration becomes inevitable and is also welcomed by others.
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