The “master honey hunters” of Wayanad’s forests: Kattunayikka tribesmen’s involvement for sustainable harvesting – Kerala

KOZHIKODE: Heavy summer rain has turned out to be manna from the skies for tribal honey hunters in Wayanad, the leading wild honey producing region in the state. The massive blooming of forest flora after the summer rain has given hopes of a bountiful harvest in the ongoing season that extends till September. […] “We are … Read more

Research and Indigenous Peoples: A counter-story to Western ideas about the benefits of the pursuit of knowledge

Decolonizing MethodologiesResearch and Indigenous PeoplesLinda Tuhiwai Smith To the colonized, the term ‘research’ is conflated with European colonialism; the ways in which academic research has been implicated in the throes of imperialism remains a painful memory. This essential volume explores intersections of imperialism and research – specifically, the ways in which imperialism is embedded in … Read more

Honey and wax production “a major seasonal activity” for Mahudharali (Honey gatherer) communities – Odisha

Honey and wax production is a major seasonal activity of bees in forest areas. Around 5000 locals earn their livelihood by gathering honey and bee-wax in the season from April to June. They are locally called as ‘Mahudharali’ (honey collector). […] Around 5000 locals earn their livelihood by gathering honey and bee-wax in the season from … Read more

Role models for members of “hill-tribes” forcibly brought down to the plains: Irulas in pursuit of higher education – Tamil Nadu

How Tamil Nadu’s Irula students are struggling to pursue higher education | To read the full story in the New Indian Express, click here >> As [the correspondent] travels across the northern districts of Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Vellore, and Tiruvannamalai, it becomes clear that hundreds of Irula students, like Dhanalakshmi, have been struggling without a community … Read more

Members of the Kaani (Kani) community “guardian angels” of the Karamana river (Western Ghats) – Kerala

Achuthsankar S. Nair | To read the full story, click here >> Unlike city residents who pollute the water, tribal communities upstream revere the river History is often the story of kings, ministers, chieftains and landlords. The story of ordinary human beings who also lived around them at the same time is very often not … Read more