CULTURE
The larger part of our cultural heritage and vibrant traditions are totally gone with each one of us bothering least about it. Things from different cultures are imitated unknowingly, that has tarnished our identity. Square pegs in round holes, so to say. However, it’s not yet overdue to preserve all that. When one wants something, the whole universe conspires to help us to achieve it, says Paulo Coelho.
Among the very least observed cultural practices, is a great tradition of burning Izband (Harmala in English or Peganum Harmala, botanically) which is still observed in our society. Popularly recognized as Wild Rue, it is a small shrub that is wide spread in subtropical regions of India, abundant in Kashmir and Ladakh, and has been used since ancient times in the cultural and religious rites worldwide as its smoke is believed to ward off the evil eye.
There are various occasions when Izband is burnt on the hot red charcoal to ward off the evil eye like wedding, foundation laid for a new house, a new relation tied, shifting to a new house, or when someone would qualify some exam, or an inauguration is done, etc. Izband is also burnt on annual celebration of Tulip festival to warmly welcome tourists.
Early on, Izband was burnt in traditional firepot, Kangri irrespective of the place and event. But now, with the tentacles of prosperity to have spread wide; it is only burnt in open spaces in a traditional Kashmiri copper vase, locally called Izband Soz—a marvel of craftsmanship that radiates its splendor, as people have become much health conscious, treating smoke as much harmful.
There had been times when Izband was kept preferably in each household in Kashmir. A pinch of it or two, when sprinkled on hot charcoal in Kangri would make it explode with small popping noise releasing a fragrant smoke to suffuse the entire ambience with the sweet scent of its smoke to kill off all the evil that there might be. People had a unique faith with Yezband Za’alun (burning of Izband), as the ritual was thought to bring happiness, prosperity, and harmony to showcase region’s rich cultural heritage.
Izband is our own, not to have come from anywhere. Usually grown on graveyards with Tul Kul (mulberry tree), Boo’en (chinar tree) Brai Kul (exotic), Mazarmond (Iris Kashmiriana) Bremji Kul (celtis australis) which our elderly were so fond of, in their times, Izband plant gows up to 1 feet in size. And when in autumn season it dries up, its seeds (wild rue seeds) fall down, to be collected for later use.
I would like to emphasize here that, earlier Izband, along with Zuer (Jeera or Cumin seeds), was also sown on the rooftops of houses in past, called Burza Pash locally—the reminiscent of old Kashmir. Although such things have slipped into oblivion, yet, we must remember that Izband is more than a mere seed used to ward off the evil eye. However, our Pandit brothers used Dupa, Rhubarb in English (known as Rheum australe botanically) instead of Izband. However, both spread a unique aroma around.
The auspicious tradition of Izband echoes me my own childhood when we would excitedly go to see a bride or groom in a wedding, in our vicinity. Amidst those lovely welcoming Wanwun songs for the groom by women like: Isband Za’alan Yena Guil Nutnai, Peer Ho Rutnai Athenai Kyeth. Isband Zalai Saede Aaftabus, Ro’y Kar Khanai Kabus Kun…loosely translated as (While burning Izband, Oh! Bridegroom, let your hands not tremble. You’ll then be taken up on hands by the religious leaders. We are burning Izband to you as a bright sun. Please turn towards Khana Kaba for it). There was a separate song for the bride referred to as zoon means moon and groom was afta’ab, the sun. An elderly lady would particularly burn the Izband in a decorated Kangri in front of the bride or groom to cast off the evil eye as it was believed that Izband Jalay, Doushmun Galay. (Izband burning will kill the enemy).
Though as children we least noticed the ritual as we remained busy in collecting candies & coins, been showered upon the bride or groom by the Izband Baye, yet, that unique Izband aroma would fill the whole aura, superbly, with its Titch Titch popping sound that still resonates in my ears. Now that Kangri has got replaced by Izband Soz, and those elderly women by young girls to burn Izband.
In my pursuit to write this piece on Izband, noted Kashmiri poet and satirist from Srinagar, Zareef Ahmad Zareef said, “No doubt, Izband burning culture is still alive, both in villages and towns. Yet, that enthusiasm and thrill has faded from us. We, Kashmiris, have slowly uprooted our elegant culture which I quite often lament in my poetry.” Izband Sozus Izband Za’lai, Lal Gopalus Ra’ech Kernai. Izband Mushkun Dushman Galei, Mujloon Laeli Pyra’an Chuei…, he regretfully and satirically quoted the lines from his newly written poem, Putnazer.
Let’s love this tradition and show eagerness towards it, before it fades into obscurity like what happened to most of our age-old rich cultural practices.
(The writer is regular RK contributor, educator and author. Feedback: [email protected])
