Attappadi (Palakkad): The 'Kambalam' festival, observed by the tribal communities of Attappadi, will commence on June 18 at Sholayur Oottukuzhi Ooru. This year, the Panchayat Samithi under Kudumbashree's Tribal Development Project is organising the festival, focusing on promoting agricultural tourism. Tourists are invited to join the festivities, spanning a two-week period.

Visitors attending the festival will receive accommodation and breakfast, and will be guided to the Ooru (hamlet). At lunchtime, they will enjoy a traditional meal comprising small grains cultivated by the tribals. Additionally, visitors can explore nearby tribal villages.

The registration fee for this enriching experience is Rs 1,500. Interested individuals can register through Kudumbashree’s Tribal Project in Agali. For more details, please contact 9745449552.

Grain sowing

The festival will begin with the sowing of small grains, where locals will prepare the land and plant traditional crops such as ragi, millet, corn, kodo millet, pearl millet, horse gram, and barnyard millet. 'Vithu Kambalam,' a ceremonial event involving seed sowing accompanied by dance and reverence for the earth, signifies the start of the festivities. The harvesting of grains, known as 'Koythu Kambalam,' is also marked with celebrations.

The 'Kambalam' festival has been organised consecutively for three years, aimed at reviving small grain farming practices among the tribal communities.