Illustrated and bilingual resources suitable for urban and rural schools alike: A range of beautiful books published by Tulika & Tara

The first chaang, the first elephant, once had big eyes,Which the animals thought looked beautiful and wise.Then, along came a bird, a wagtail, and… Told in verse, this folktale from the Tai Phake people of India’s northeast is gentle and funny. Source: Why The Elephant Has Tiny EyesAddress: https://www.tulikabooks.com/general-picture-books/why-the-elephant-has-tiny-eyes-english.htmlDate Visited: 15 March 2021 “As kids, we … Read more

“A rich oral tradition and music”: Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures in Shillong – Meghalaya

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS GALLERY Music plays an important role in the life and culture of most people in the North East. “Music is in their blood”, it is often said metaphorically. Most of the tribes of the region have a rich oral tradition and music is one way through which knowledge and folktales are transmitted through … Read more

Adivasi rice beer – ceremonial drinking vs bondage caused by strong liquor

Adivasis and alcohol Historically, ‘pioneers’ of ‘civilized’ dominant (‘mainstream’ is politically incorrect) society have used alcohol to enslave and destroy the indigenous communities they invaded. Like exploitative marauders, they credited themselves with finding ‘new’ lands, sweepingly declaring them Terra Nullis (occasionally even classifying indigenous people as ‘fauna’, making it legal to hunt them). I recently read … Read more

Tip | Indigenous innovations, how to help tribal kids reach school on time, creating awareness of women’s health and other success stories – The Better India

Our community health workers and village co-ordinators have been leading from the front in responding to the needs of all the tribals across 320 hamlets, putting their lives at-risk while ensuring the safety of others. […] And to engage children during the lockdown, we at the Vidyodaya Maths and Science Resource Centre have created a … Read more

Film | “Mahua Memoirs” by Vinod Raja on Adivasis communities who live in the mountain tracts and forests of the Eastern Ghats – Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chattisgarh & Jharkhand

Date and Time: 28-30 August, 2020 (48 hours, 6 pm-6 pm)Film: MAHUA MEMOIRSDirector: Vinod RajaDuration: 83 minutesFilm type: Documentary (with English subtitles)Produced by Grassroots media and Equations SYNOPSISSaloo, the bard and Thirku, the Baiga, takes us on a journey through the lives of the many Adivasis communities who live in the mountain tracts and forests … Read more