North-Eastern Areas – Scheduled Districts Act of 1874, political and constitutional changes

Over six years after its signing, the Bodoland Accord is yet to usher in substantive changes on the ground [i.e. at the date of pulication in 2002]. […] The Sixth Schedule, extensively amended since the adoption of the Constitution, along with the Fifth Schedule (applicable to the scheduled areas and the Scheduled Tribes outside the … Read more

“We now had history on our side”: Poet Kamal Kumar Tanti on his search for identity – From Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal to the tea gardens of Assam

The Assamese poet Kamal Kumar Tanti won the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in the year 2012 for his book of poems, Marangburu Amar Pita. The phrase “Marangburu amarpita” can be roughly translated into English as “Marangburu, my father”. Marang Buru is the highest deity among some Adivasi communities of eastern and central India who follow … Read more

Each tribal community retains its distinct rural culture: A small state with 19 sub-tribes – Tripura

A group of tribals from Tripura have been on a visit to the Nilgiris. The tribals from various parts of India have been brought to the Nilgiris under a scheme sponsored by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The visit is aimed at bridging cultural differences among the tribals and promoting camaraderie among them. The group … Read more

Tribal Memory, Folklore and Hindu Epic Narratives: Papers presented for “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (National Conference)

[Bold typeface added above for emphasis] Courtesy Dr. Ivy Hansdak, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Jamia Millia Islamia University New Delhi (email 4 October 2017) Source: Report for the ICSSR-sponsored Two-Day National Conference Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative organised by The Department of English & Outreach Programme Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi, … Read more

Oral Literature and Memory: A Study of Tribal Folklore: Papers presented for “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (National Conference)

Abstract 5: Oral Literature and Memory: A Study of Tribal Folklore Paper presented for “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (National Conference) – New Delhi ATHIKO KAISII Centre for Culture, Media & Governance, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi KEYWORDS: FOLKLORE, INTERPRETATION, MEMORY, TRADITION, IDENTITY Oral literature does not stress authorship but the focus is … Read more