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

“Dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich and unique culture of the indigenous people”: The Ethnological Museum of the Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (KIRTADS) – Kerala

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The Ethnological Museum is one of the most informative and interesting storehouse for people who want to know about the Tribes of Kerala. The Museum is a part of the Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (KIRTADS), and houses a large collection of artefacts, costumes, jewellery, household utensils, … Read more

The main festival celebrated of the Santal community (December-January): Sorhae “thanksgiving” – West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Nepal, and Bangladesh

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Singing and Dancing, a Festivity of Unity By Boro Baski | Translated by Joel Tudu Sorhae is the biggest festival of the Santals. The Santals of Malda, Murshidabad, Dinajpur, Birbhum, Bardhaman district, together with the Santals of Jharkhand, Assam, Nepal, and Bangladesh, celebrate this festival with various rituals, singing and dancing towards the end of Bengali … Read more

Garo Drums: Symbols associated with specific regions and social occasions – Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, West Bengal & Bangladesh

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Garos are a tribal group from Meghalaya, predominantly residing in the Garo Hills region. Though found in the three (now five) Garo Hills districts, they also reside in the adjoining states of Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, and West Bengal in the Indian Union and across the political divide in the northern districts of Bangladesh. Traditionally the … Read more

Upholding “Freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of association” (22 August) – United Nations

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Freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of association are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing. They are enshrined in articles 18, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Upholding these rights plays an important role in the fight against all … Read more

“Mountain ecosystems also needed by urbanized areas”: International Mountain Day (11 December) – United Nations

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Women move mountainsThe theme of this year’s International Mountain Day (IMD) on 11 December will be Women move mountains.Women play a key role in mountains’ environmental protection and social and economic development. They are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture, and experts in … Read more