Adivasi / Adibasi

“Adivasi [Adibasi] – which is derived from Sanskrit – is applied to the dark-skinned or Austro-Asiatic indigenous groups of India (usually those from Eastern India). It is a commonly-used term in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. It is also used by the local Mongoloid tribes of North Eastern India for the migrant workers who were brought in as indentured labourers to work in tea plantations during the colonial period. ‘Tribal’ is a very broad term in the English language, as we all know, and includes all the different indigenous groups of India.” – Santali poet, scholar and translator Ivy Imogene Hansdak (email dated 27 March 2020)
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=23032

Early Buddhist Sanghas valued outlook of tribal society: Democratic functioning, gender equality and knowledge of medicinal plants

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Adivasi traditions and practices pervade all aspects of Indian culture and civilization, yet this awareness is often lacking in popular consciousness, and the extent and import of Adivasi contributions to Indian philosophy, language and custom have often gone unrecognized, or been underrated by historians and social scientists. Although popular myths about Buddhism have obscured the … Read more

“Droupadi Murmu creates history, elected first tribal president of India” – Odisha

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Droupadi Murmu creates history, elected first tribal president of India Presidential election 2022, Droupadi Murmu, Yashwant Sinha: President Ram Nath Kovind will finish his term July 24 Murmu, 64, won by an overwhelming margin against Sinha after receiving over 64 per cent valid votes in a day-long counting of ballots of MPs and MLAs, comprising … 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

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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

A museum made by members of seven major tribal communities: Showcasing tribal lore, knowledge of the surroundings, nature, seasons, spirituality – Madhya Pradesh

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Madhya Pradesh tribal museum with work by Gond, Bhil, Baiga, Kol, Korku, Sahariya, Bharia tribes. Photo: Gowri Ramnarayan A new museum in Madhya Pradesh showcases the oral narratives of seven major tribes. And it’s put together by the tribals themselves, says Gowri Ramnarayan. Once upon a time, the mighty God Badadev disappeared into the Saja … Read more

Tip | Kalpavriksh: “COVID-19 crisis as an incredible opportunity to move towards equity and sustainability” – Tamil Nadu

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Ashish Kothari | Read the full story with photos in The Hindu >> Source: “What does self-reliance really mean? Amazing stories emerge from India’s villages” by Ashish Kothari, The Hindu, 5 June 2020URL: https://www.thehindu.com/society/what-does-self-reliance-really-mean-amazing-stories-emerge-from-indias-villages/article31756580.eceDate visited: 19 July 2022 KALPAVRIKSH is a non-profit organisation working on environmental and social issues. The group began in 1979 with … Read more