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

ePaper | The Kaani (Kani) community’s ethno-botanical knowledge of 300 medicinal herbs: Paper presented at the National Jackfruit Festival 2015 – Kerala

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“Jackfruit and its value-added products have started stealing the show at various food festivals, thanks to the collective initiatives of peasants. However, the governments continue their habitual indifference to promoting this tropical fruit with immense nutritional value and market potential,” says Shree Padre, veteran agricultural journalist and editor of the Kannada agricultural magazine, Adike Patrika … Read more

Tribal communities recognized by the government: Census figures & changes in the lists of Scheduled Tribes (ST)

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Scheduled Tribes in India: As revealed in Census 2011 This report highlights the data and demographics of scheduled tribes (ST) in 30 states and union territories of India, as documented in Census 2011. The report makes comparisons from 1961 by showing population trends as well as decadal growth rate. It also focuses on the livelihoods … Read more

Indian forests, rivers and mountains owe their survival to Adivasis: “the most civilised people” – Mahasweta Devi

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Renowned writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi termed Adivasis as “the most civilised people” to whom Indian forests, rivers and mountains owe their survival. She praised their egalitarian social structure where nobody is greater than anybody, and where social evils such as dowry do not exist. Addressing students at the University of Hyderabad here on … Read more

Audio, eBook & Video | “A good storyteller brings hope, hilarity, comfort, inspiration and peace”: Indigenous ways of connecting through books, digital communities and games – Canada, Australia & New Zealand

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“We faced pandemics before. […] A good storyteller brings hope, hilarity, comfort, inspiration and peace.” – Dene writer, Richard Van Camp on the Joy of Storytellin , CBC Radio Unreserved,  26 February 2021 It has been almost one year since the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic. Its effects are still being determined, but one thing … Read more