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

“A fascinating narrative thread in the tapestry of a common Scandinavian-Santal heritage spanning 150 years”: Bodding Symposium (Oslo, 3 to 5 November 2015) – Norway

by

“The symposium’s aim of north-south cultural cooperation and digital repatriation of indigenous peoples heritage represents a rather pioneering effort here in Norway.” – Tone Bleie (PhD), Professor Public Planning and Cultural Understanding, Dept. of Sociology, Political Sciences and Local Planning, University of Tromsø – the Arctic University, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway The Bodding Symposium 2015 Link to webcast from the conference: http://www.khm.uio.no/om/aktuelt/live/index.html … Read more

Video | JAGWAR Santal Literary Meet 2015

by

Published on Feb 21, 2015 Song performed by the Santali folk group, Sange Bariyat, at Jagwar-2: Santal Literary Meet 2015, 14-15 February 2015, Johar HRD Centre, Dumka, Jharkhand, India Also listen to another Santali song in the traditional lagre rhythm that asks on YouTube: “Why are we forgetting our beautiful language and culture?” Courtesy: Dr Ivy Imogene Hansdak … Read more

As obesity and diabetes spread “like wildfire” throughout India, traditional foods can make a difference: Tribal elders enjoy better health thanks to a more balanced diet

by

The world’s most important contemporary food movement Phrang Roy, coordinator of the Indigenous Partnership for Agro-biodiversity and Food Sovereignty, talks of how Slow Food began as the dream of a few people. “The reality is food is political. Slow Food’s beginning was for consumers in urban centres. They then realised this is not possible without … Read more

The Dasai Parab festival celebrated by the Santals in October: A large mural created by village artists to express their cultural identity – West Bengal

by

Dasai The Dasai Parab, celebrated in October, goes back to a period in history when the Santals had to defend themselves and hide their identity behind masks. During the festival not much of this martial spirit is left. The men dance with peacock feathers adorning their turbans. Some even dress up as women or wear … Read more

Tribal participation in efforts to overcome diseases and malnutrition: Tribal activist and medical doctor Dr. Kamalakshi – Kerala

by

A doctor couple have dedicated their life to the tribal people of Attappady. Till two decades ago, the majority of tribal people in Attappady were reluctant to approach doctors even in cases of emergency, preferring herbal medicines they inherited through generations. The number of patients turning up at the sole primary health centre at Agali … Read more