Despite gentle interventions by the government, the people of Kaf village, in Madhya Pradesh, hold on to a unique superstition that prevents them from building concrete roofs. This belief is a double-edged sword, discovers Village Square.
“Madhya Pradesh – The heart of incredible India.” This is a famous slogan that’s recognised across the country, but there’s a unique village in this state that takes this incredibleness to another level.
Located just 18 km from the city of Vidisha, Kaf village stands as a testament to an extraordinary belief system that has persisted through generations.
Imagine a village where not a single house has a concrete roof, not even those built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The reason? The villagers believe that constructing a concrete roof brings disaster, including severe mental health issues or even death, to the family living under it.
Every resident in Kaf village shares this belief which is rooted in a story passed down through the ages. According to the villagers, a saint once warned the community against building concrete roofs, foreseeing a dire fate for anyone who defied this decree.
As a result, every house in Kaf is topped with tin sheets instead of concrete. Even the PMAY houses, which are meant to provide secure and permanent shelter, have either been left roofless or covered with tin.
Regardless of government policies, we will not build concrete roofs. God has not given us permission for it.
says Phoolbai, a resident of the village, who received a PMAY house but refused to put a concrete roof on it.
Also read: Sustainable roofs make houses in informal settlements cooler during summer
The government’s intention to provide sturdy and permanent housing under PMAY is met with resistance in Kaf. Local authorities have tried to educate and persuade the villagers, but their efforts have been in vain.
“We understand their beliefs, but our objective is to provide a safe and secure home for every citizen. We will continue to engage with the community to change their perspective,” says Dr. Prabhuram Choudhary, a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Sanchi Vidhansabha.
The administration has taken a cautious approach, not wanting to offend the villagers’ sentiments but also recognising the need for modern amenities. “We have built schools with concrete roofs, and they are functioning well. We hope that over time, the villagers will realise that their fears are unfounded,” adds Dr. Choudhary.
In the village of Kaf, a deep-rooted superstition serves as both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, this unwavering belief has played a pivotal role in preserving the village’s cultural heritage. It lends the village a unique identity, making it a place of mystery and intrigue that piques the curiosity of outsiders.
The collective adherence to this tradition also strengthens community bonds. Shared beliefs foster unity. In Kaf this is evident as residents look out for one another, creating a tightly knit community where social norms are upheld, and a sense of mutual respect and belonging thrives.
Also read: Manyachiwadi becomes Maharashtra’s first solar-powered village
However, the disadvantages of this superstition are equally significant. The refusal to construct concrete roofs leaves the homes exposed to the elements. This poses serious safety risks. During heavy rains or strong winds, these homes are vulnerable to damage, endangering the lives and properties of the villagers.
Additionally, adhering to traditional roofing methods means the community is not fully benefiting from government schemes like the PMAY. It results in the underutilisation of resources intended for community development and better living standards.
Moreover, the economic consequences of this superstition are profound. The lack of durable roofing necessitates frequent repairs and maintenance, leading to increased household expenses.
This financial burden could be avoided with more robust construction, allowing families to allocate their resources towards other crucial areas such as education and healthcare. The ongoing expenditure on home repairs not only strains the villagers financially but also stifles the overall economic growth of the community.
Despite the drawbacks, the villagers of Kaf remain unwavering in their beliefs. This steadfastness raises questions about the intersection of tradition and modernity. Is the government’s approach of gentle persuasion enough to bring about change, or is a more assertive intervention required?
The story of Kaf is not just about roofs and houses. It is a narrative about faith, fear, and the struggle between tradition and progress. For now, the tin roofs of Kaf village stand as a symbol of a belief system that refuses to be shaken, not even by the concrete promises of modern development.
Also read: A village where farms and forests belong to everyone
The lead image on top depicts a house in MP village Kaf, with a tin sheet for a roof. The people of this village fear building concrete roofs. (photo by Akansha Deshmukh)
Akansha Deshmukh is an independent investigative journalist who operates mainly in central India.
