Medaram Museum

The Medaram Jatara, which honours the valour of two legendary tribal women leaders, has gained popularity for being the biggest tribal fair in the world. The event, which receives over 12.5 million devotees from eight different states in the country, is held to worship Sammakka and Saralamma, according to the Koya tribal legend. As an extension of the Jatara, the Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute under the Telangana state government’s Tribal Welfare Department has set up the Sri Sammakka Saralamma Tribal Museum at Medaram. The museum was opened to the public early this year in January.

Though the initial plan was to open the museum only twice a year when Jatara takes place, its popularity has led the authorities to rethink the decision and keep it open every day.

The sole aim of this museum is to showcase the culture of one of the most important ethnic communities — the Koyas — and the ambiguous 12th-century legend of Sammakka. The museum showcases the traditional arts and craft, Koya food and a sculptural episode of Sammakka at the museum. Visitors will also get to see traditional tribal performances

The museum also has an unusual design. Unlike the stereotypical off-white, stone-cold buildings that come to our minds when we think of museums, the layout of the complex is adorned with the traditional Koya dancers’ headgear, while the galleries are panelled with the names of Sammakka and her relatives. The museum building is a rust-coloured one with bright tribal art painted all over it. Some of the objects are almost nine centuries old.