Jono Maryono
As the world celebrated Spain’s triumphant second FIFA World Cup victory and lauded the "GOATS" of football who captivated audiences for a month, a remote Indian village, Tirilbasa, in the tribal-dominated district of Chaibasa, Jharkhand, has found its own distinctive way to join the global football fervor. From July 14 to July 17, residents organized a football tournament that not only mirrored the excitement of the international stage but also embraced indigenous traditions, with the ultimate prize being a herd of goats. This unique event, the Rangila Star Tirilbasa tournament, highlights the deep-rooted passion for football in India’s heartland and the cultural significance of its traditional customs.
The tournament, aptly named "Rangila Star Tirilbasa" – "Rangila" meaning "colourful" in Hindi – saw participation from teams representing 64 nearby villages. While the promise of attractive prize money was a draw, the true spectacle and the most coveted reward were the live goats, affectionately known as "khassi," awarded to the top-performing teams. This unconventional approach to football trophies underscores the integral role of livestock, particularly goats, in the cultural and economic fabric of the region.
The finals, held on Friday, culminated in a hard-fought 1-0 victory for NCS Maudi against Kumbaram. This dramatic scoreline, remarkably, served as a prelude to the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, which concluded with a similar narrow margin just two days later in New York. The parallels, though coincidental, added an extra layer of excitement to the village’s celebrations.
NCS Maudi, the champions, not only secured a cash prize of 15,000 rupees (approximately $156) but also took home three male goats. The runners-up, Kumbaram, received 12,000 rupees ($125) and two goats, while third and fourth-place finishers, Kobra FC Nimdhi and Galubasa FC, were awarded 9,000 rupees ($93) and one goat each. While individual accolades like "man of the match," "man of the series," and "best goalkeeper" came with cash prizes, they did not include the prized khassi.
Sachin Devam, the captain of the victorious NCS Maudi team, shared his excitement with Al Jazeera. His team, which had arrived on motorcycles, now faced the logistical challenge of transporting their goat trophies back to their village, located 10 kilometers away. "It’s the first win for our team, and we are going to celebrate it with everyone in the village," Devam beamed, promising a "khassi picnic." This sentiment encapsulates the communal joy and shared prosperity that the tournament and its unique prizes foster.
Fifth Edition of a Cherished Tradition
This year marked the fifth edition of the Rangila Star Tirilbasa tournament, a testament to its growing popularity and significance in the local community. Organizers meticulously adhere to the official FIFA rulebook, employing popular commentators and referees certified by the state football association. This commitment ensures fair play and adherence to established footballing standards, mitigating potential conflicts that can arise from the game’s inherent intensity.
However, beyond the rulebook, the tournament’s essence is deeply intertwined with the ancient tribal traditions of the Ho community, the indigenous inhabitants of the Chaibasa region. The Ho people, numbering over a million across India, are genetically part of the Austroasiatic group and identify as tribal ("aadivasi") people deeply connected to their forest environment. The word "ho" in their language translates to "human" or "people," signifying their distinct identity within the Kolhan region of Jharkhand. This state, despite being rich in coal and mineral resources, remains one of India’s poorest, making local community initiatives like this tournament even more vital for social cohesion and economic upliftment.
The Austroasiatic tribes, including the Santhals, Ho, and Munda, are known for their strong community bonds, evident in their organized traditional, religious, and sporting activities. Football tournaments serve as significant gatherings, inviting fellow tribal kin to strengthen their collective identity and celebrate their shared heritage.
The Cultural Significance of the Khassi
For the Ho people, celebrations are incomplete without the khassi. These goats are not merely livestock but are integral to religious ceremonies, sacrifices, and community feasts. Their meat is highly prized for its taste, making them a symbol of prosperity and celebration.
Manish Kudada, an 18-year-old player and organizer from Tirilbasa, explained the rationale behind the goat prizes. "Khassis are part of the prize as they are an important part of our culture. Their meat is tasty, and everyone loves good mutton. Most teams slaughter the goats, but some also keep them as livestock and trophy prize," he told Al Jazeera. Kudada himself has kept a black khassi won in a previous tournament, though friends jest that it is being fattened for a future feast. In Chaibasa, goats are a common sight, especially at the bustling Tuesday markets, where a young goat can fetch up to 8,000 rupees ($83).
Raj Keshri, the goalkeeper for the Tirilbasa team and another key organizer, emphasized the deep-seated cultural importance of the khassi. "Without khassi, our celebrations are half-hearted. At weddings, even if the hosts serve double the amount of chicken and no khassi meat, it will upset the villagers," he stated. This highlights how the inclusion of goats as prizes directly resonates with the community’s values and ensures that victories are not just personal achievements but communal celebrations. The decision to offer both cash and goats was a strategic one, allowing players to enjoy financial rewards while also facilitating village-wide festivities.
Governance and Modified Gameplay
The Ho community adheres to a unique Munda-Manki governance system, where a hereditary village headman holds sway over social, legal, and customary rights, often superseding government structures like the Panchayat and police. This traditional authority permeates all aspects of community life, including sporting events.
The Rangila Star Tirilbasa tournament operates under the "ek munda" (one village) rule, meaning all team members must hail from the same village. The playing strength is nine per team, with a minimum of six players needing to be from the same village to qualify. This rule is strictly enforced to foster a strong sense of unity and collective identity among the players, reinforcing the tournament’s community-centric ethos.
Furthermore, the game’s rules are adapted to suit local conditions and enhance inclusivity. The absence of an offside rule and the freedom to score from anywhere on the field make the game more dynamic and accessible, especially for players from smaller villages who might not have access to formal training or face seasoned opponents in open tournaments. Sudarshan Tiu, a player for Galubasa FC, attested to this, noting, "This kind of match setup provides an opportunity for players like us from small villages who never get a chance to qualify in open tournaments which are dominated by seasoned players."
Commentary and Spectator Engagement
Suvir Kumar Tanti, the tournament’s commentator, is a familiar figure across the Kolhan region during the monsoon football season, a period when many men return home for agricultural activities. His energetic and lyrical commentary, delivered through loudspeakers, draws spectators into the fast-paced action on the field. Tanti noted the tournament’s unique appeal: "The Rangila Star tournament reflects the culture of the Ho community. And khassi goats as prizes make it even more unique. Very few tournaments in the region follow this and prefer to conduct events in a professional manner, with trophies and medals as rewards."
The tournament provides a vibrant social hub for the villagers. Spectators fill the grounds throughout the day, finding vantage points along the sidelines or even in trees. Nearby stalls offer local delicacies like fried dough balls, potato chops, yellow peas, and "madia," a fermented rice beer that helps combat the hot and humid weather. In the evenings, a rooster-catching game, complete with betting, adds another layer of entertainment.
The tournament’s name, "Rangila Star Tirilbasa," was carefully chosen to embody the village’s spirit. Keshri explained, "’Rangila’ [colourful] signifies our enthusiasm to do something unique while ‘Star’ represents talent. Through our football tournament, we hope Tirilbasa will become the ground for local talent." This ambition reflects a desire to showcase the region’s potential on a broader stage.
Jharkhand: A Sporting Heartland and a Region Re-Emerging
Jharkhand, a state historically rich in natural resources, has also been a breeding ground for sporting talent for decades. It has produced world-class field hockey players and athletes, with former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni being its most celebrated sports icon. The state government actively supports local football and hockey clubs, including Rangila Star, through financial grants, fostering the development of the next generation of athletes. Many of these clubs also organize tournaments for female teams, promoting gender equality in sports.
For a long time, however, Chaibasa remained largely absent from the national sporting map. Nestled amidst remote forests and hills, the district faced isolation due to a prolonged Maoist insurgency. This armed revolt, fueled by grievances over deforestation and land alienation for mining, significantly impacted the region’s development and security.
The government’s control over Chaibasa was re-established only in 2011, and even last year, private vehicles were hesitant to traverse the district at night. Commercial bus services operated within strict daylight hours, and the area remained designated as a "sensitive zone." However, a significant turning point arrived in March of the current year when India’s Home Minister declared the end of the armed Maoist rebellion following successful security operations against key commanders.
With the decline of violence, Chaibasa has transformed into a bustling town. The influx of businesses, from pizza parlors and laptop stores to offices and warehouses for mining companies, signals economic revitalization. Christian missionary schools and colleges have also become prominent, offering crucial educational opportunities to the tribal population.
The growth of sporting activities is a direct beneficiary of this renewed peace and development. Chaibasa is rapidly emerging as a significant football hub, nurturing talents like Malati Munda, a gifted female midfielder and forward. Munda, who gained national recognition through local tournaments, eventually played in league matches in Kolkata, a city with a deep-rooted passion for football.
"I had no coach to guide me or provide training. No one had even heard about me. After coming to Chaibasa town for higher studies, I met several brothers and sisters who taught me and improved my game," Munda recounted. The experience gained from weekly local tournaments was instrumental in honing her skills. She humorously recalled winning "cash, and yes, khassi as well" at these events. Munda now plays for the Home Guard paramilitary in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, a common career path for players from economically disadvantaged families seeking government employment.
Grassroots Football and Digital Reach
The grassroots football culture in Chaibasa is also finding a new dimension through digital platforms. Harish Hembram, a native of Chaibasa, began his journey as a football content creator by covering local matches and uploading videos to social media. His YouTube channel has since garnered over 211,000 subscribers, and he now livestreams key matches across Jharkhand.
"Football has always been popular in the villages, and many like me would attend matches at different venues. I started uploading the videos for fun for those fans who couldn’t attend. But soon the videos clocked high viewership, and I started my YouTube channel. Now organizers call me to cover their tournaments," Hembram explained. His channel generates approximately 20,000 rupees ($208) per month, enabling him to open a sports shop in Ranchi selling football gear.
The vibrant grassroots football scene in Chaibasa challenges the stereotype that India is not a football-loving nation. Sandeep Menon, author of "Sacred Grounds: A Journey Through People’s Football in India," highlights a pervasive football subculture across the country. While India may not dominate the global stage, Menon emphasizes that the "love for the sport in the country is unparalleled."
Menon further elaborates, "At the grassroots level, football is played with great interest across the country. And everyone has their own version of the game, to make it palatable and adaptable depending upon the availability of space, local geographical surroundings, weather and social conditions." He sees hyper-local tournaments like the Rangila Star Tirilbasa as crucial platforms for aspiring players, offering them a chance at local fame and reinforcing the profound emotional connection players have with their villages. "For some players, football becomes their identity and pride," he concluded. The Rangila Star Tirilbasa tournament, with its unique blend of global sporting passion and deeply ingrained cultural traditions, stands as a compelling testament to this enduring spirit.
