Customs

“We have a song for every situation. We feel money takes away from the enjoyment of life. But to earn a livelihood, people have to learn other languages.” – Santal teacher Pada Murmu interviewed by Nandini Nair (OPEN Magazine, 13 January 2017)
https://openthemagazine.com/features/dispatch/santali-talking-time/
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=21581

Video | Swang Nritya, the drama of the Sahariya tribe: Songs and dance that spread awareness about social issues like child marriage, women’s rights, the need of education – Rajasthan

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Living amidst the forest in symphony with the ways of nature, the Sahariyas are one of the last remaining tribes of Rajasthan. This group of self sufficient people has lived all their lives without the use of modern day implements and speaks a local dialect called Haroti that is influenced by the languages of Hindi and Braj. The … Read more

Bastar Dasara in Jagdalpur (July – October): Ancient customs and modernity – Chhattishgarh

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In the heart of Bastar, where the beauty of the jungle holds sway, is a Dasara celebration unchanged by the passage of time | Read the full story and view more photos here >> She’s attired in a shocking pink sari tied till the knees, adorned with chunky armbands and anklets in silver, double nose-pins in gold, and … Read more

Learn more about tribal communities in West Bengal

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Learn more about tribal communities in Gujarat

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Video | Marriage customs of the Santals: A large mural created by village artists to express their cultural identity – West Bengal

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Marriage Reception A Santal marriage takes five days and involves various, often complex, rituals. On the day of the Gidi-chumara (Marriage Reception) the women arrive to bless the bride and groom with grass and grains of rice which are kept in a basket. The high wooden turmeric crusher called akhur (on the right) indicates that … Read more