eBook | The Leopard and the Barber (Kunkna) – A story from Gujarat

There once lived a poor barber by the name Bhaglo. Since he was a barber by profession, he was known as Bhaglo Hajam. Bhaglo lived in a small village and could earn very little …

“We have a special responsibility to document, monitor and conserve our most precious asset”: Biodiversity for sustaining their livelihoods – Survey of the Environment

India may be the only large country with huge scientific capability to lack a serious programme to monitor the state of its ecosystems. Because the major drivers of habitat loss or change are rooted in political, economic and social factors, India needs to develop a monitoring programme that is focused not only on biodiversity, but … Read more

Ancestors, social values and clan practices: Cultural identity transmitted through the weaves of the North-East – Seven Sister States

Folklore, myths and handloom Hidden within the colour, weave and design of tribal textiles are many legends If you were to look beyond the visible landscape of a weave, you would find myriad stories hidden in the colours and designs—tales about human creation, magical deities and kindred forest spirits. These patterns offer tangible evidence of legends … Read more

What Adivasis themselves have to say: Reflections on life, religion, politics, the past, the present, and the world around them – Tamil Nadu

Reams have been written about adivasis by so-called experts. Much of it is subjective interpretation, an exercise I have always been wary of indulging in. For this issue, therefore, my husband Stan and I recorded reflections of different adivasis on how they view life, their religion, politics, the past, the present and the world around … Read more

Tribal culture in Jharkhand – Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre

Carved out of Bihar in 2000, many treasures of the relatively new state of Jharkhand situated in the Chota Nagpur Plateau is still less known to most people. Nature wears her best clothes in this state. Many rivers like the Damodar, Brahmani, Kharkai and the Subarnarekha, flow gently adding to the natural charm of Jharkhand. … Read more