The Mystical Call of the Mangroves

Sundarbans—the very name conjures images of dense mangrove forests, treacherous rivers, and the world’s most enigmatic predator, the Royal Bengal Tiger. But for the jangaljeebis (forest-dwellers) who venture into its depths for their livelihood, the Sundarbans is not just a symbol of beauty; it is a living entity with its own moods and unwritten laws. Violating the unwritten rules of the Sundarbans jungle can have fatal consequences. Hidden within these laws is a remarkable philosophy of coexistence, at the heart of which lies a deadly concept known as ‘Hekati’.

Entering the Jungle: More Than Work, an Unspoken Oath

When forest-dwellers enter the jungle, it’s not merely a job but a well-planned expedition. Each team typically follows a set of specific rituals.

• The Mother’s Grace and the Worship of Bonbibi: Many boats venture into the forest relying solely on ‘Mayer Bhorosha’—the grace of the Mother, the forest deity. The importance of Bonbibi in the Sundarbans is a belief that has, for centuries, been credited with protecting the forest-dwellers.
• The Presence of the ‘Baul’e’ or ‘Babl’e’: Often, a team includes a ‘Baul’e’, a shaman or mystic. He is believed to protect the group from danger through mantras. But such are the jungle’s ways that many of them conceal their identity and pose as ordinary fishermen within the group.
• The ‘Dondo’ Reckoning: It is believed that once a ‘Dondo’ (a sacred time-frame for a day or night) is invoked by a mantra, danger is kept at bay, even if the catch of fish and crabs decreases. This is, in effect, a psychological safety net that controls greed and helps the team return from the jungle on time.

What is ‘Hekati’? The Gravest Sin of the Sundarbans Jungle

Among all the rules of the Sundarbans, the most rigid and inviolable is this: once you have finished your work (“maal chhere”) and returned to the boat, you must not step back onto the land. That is the end of the day. But greed is a timeless human enemy. And this is where the concept of ‘Hekati’ is born.

The meaning of Hekati is to break the jungle’s rules out of personal greed, defying the collective decision of the group.

Imagine a team has spent the entire day catching crabs and has returned to their boat. Just then, a member spots a large beehive or a couple of tempting crabs scuttling near the shore. If he steps back into the jungle for that extra bit of income, that act is called ‘Hekati’. The lifestyle of the Sundarbans forest-dwellers is filled with tragic tales where this momentary greed has led to a tiger attack or some other calamity. A person committing ‘Hekati’ not only endangers their own life but brings peril upon the entire group.

The Ecology and Sociology Behind the Belief

These rituals and beliefs are not mere superstitions. They are rooted in deep ecological and social wisdom. The question, “what are the dangers of greed in the jungle?” is answered by this very rule.

• Ecological Significance: The prohibition of ‘Hekati’ is a brilliant example of sustainable harvesting. It ensures that the jungle’s resources are not over-exploited, thus protecting the ecosystem.
• Social Significance: This rule maintains discipline, unity, and mutual trust within the group. Staying together is the best way to survive a tiger attack in the Sundarbans. ‘Hekati’ shatters that unity.
• Self-Preservation: After disengaging from the jungle and returning to the boat, one’s focus wanes. Re-entering the forest with a distracted mind is an open invitation to danger. This rule psychologically enforces restraint and alertness.

The Tiger’s Veil and Our Sense of Wonder

This strict code of conduct, this restraint, and this fear-mixed reverence for the jungle are what have allowed the tiger to survive in its full glory. The tiger maintains its veil of secrecy, its reclusive nature, and that is why it remains so powerful in our psyche. If it were easily accessible, the awe it inspires would diminish.

The rule against ‘Hekati’ indirectly respects the tiger’s personal space. It is when humans cross the line of moderation that their conflict with nature becomes inevitable. Our sense of wonder for the jungle and our adherence to its rules have preserved this isolated tiger population of the Sundarbans. If this belief and wonder are lost, the jungle will become nothing more than a battlefield.

https://shobdoneerin.com/2025/07/10/when-man-follows-tiger-the-untold-story-of-sundarbans-honey-collectors-human-tiger-conflict/