Article By Varleen Kaur

A symbol of strength, power, and agility, the tiger holds significant importance in India. Serving as the country’s national animal, the apex predator signifies a diverse ecosystem.

Regarded as a protector, a brother and even a god, the tiger has been a part of our folklore, myths and legends for ages.

Tribes living close to tiger populations have incorporated them into their rituals and traditions. They revere the tiger as a protector, forming a closer relationship between humans and wildlife.

Some tribes near Maharashtra worship the tiger in the form of the Waghoba deity. The Waghoba idols are hundreds of years old and are typically found in small temples dedicated to tigers. The Warli tribe have an interesting story about the origin of the Waghbaras (a festival celebrating the wagh).

Changdevi, the daughter of the village chief, set out to the river one day to wash clothes. A group of thirsty Bhil (another Indigenous community) hunters came by the river to drink water. As Bhils are restricted from touching the river, they asked for Changdevi’s help and she obliged. To show their appreciation to her kindness, the Bhils blessed Changdevi and proclaimed, “Your child will be the junglacha raja (king of the jungle)”. She did not make much of this at the time and returned to the village.

In the next seven days, she became pregnant. Since she was young and unmarried, gossip began in the village speculating about her promiscuity. However, she gave birth within seven days, and her child was indeed the king of the jungle: a wagh (tiger). Changdevi was relieved. The wagh was the proof that she had done nothing wrong.

However, when the wagh baby grew up, he began to get tempted by the sight of livestock and killed the cattle from time to time to satisfy his hunger. The angry and scared villagers tried to kill him, but he always seemed to find a way to escape.

In order to save her child and diffuse the situation, the mother asked her child to go away into the forest. In exchange for this, the people would install shrines for the wagh in every village and once a year give an offering of the animals he liked. This became a festival that is celebrated today as Waghbaras.

Tigers have different meanings in different indigenous cultures of India.

The tribes of the Sundarbans in West Bengal think of tigers as important players in the forest, and they are woven into the story of Bonobibi and Dakshin Ray. On the other hand, while the Santhals and the farmers of Odisha refer to tiger as “Bagheshwar” and “Banjara,” the Mishmi tribe of northeastern India regards the tiger as their brother, born to the same mother.

Interestingly, the Baiga tribe of central India believes they are the descendants of the tiger. The Baiga community tell the story of a boy that was raised by tigers. When the boy grew up, he took care of the tigers the way they had taken care of him. Just like that, the Baiga people and tigers became friends.

Such stories, passed from generations highlight the importance of the tiger for these tribes and the special relationship they share with them

There are only about 5574 tigers (WWF) in the world today with an estimated 3,682 in India (NTCA) . Still an endangered species, the tigers need our support.

What can you do?

• Support organisations dedicated to tiger conservation
• Be a responsible tourist when visiting tiger reserves
• Advocate for forest conservation. Get involved in local initiatives to protect and restore forest cover

When we protect the tiger, we protect forests, livelihoods, and heritage.

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