Names & communities

Communities with populations spread across state/linguistic borders are often known by different names by local authorities while “some of these communities figure in various classifications in the states” according to the National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes: “There are many anomalies in terms of identification of these communities, from state to state. Many people also do not know what is denotified tribe and which authority is looking after their grievances. […] In some states they are called ‘tribal settlers’. In some states they are called ‘hidden tribes’ etc.” – Bibek Debroy in “An unfortunate legacy” (Indian Express, 5 January 2017)
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/crime-criminal-act-racial-discrimination-non-bailable-offence-criminal-tribes-act-an-unfortunate-legacy-4459258/
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=12284

Video | Giving a voice to Adivasi literature at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2016: Adivaani’s co-founder and publisher Ruby Hembrom – Rajasthan

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“Silence is not my mother tongue”– Ruby Hembrom, executive director, Aadivani, during the concluding session dedicated to the issue of freedom of speech in India. (reported by Tehelka.com, January 28, 2016) “Equity and democracy run through the Festival’s veins, providing access for all to some of our greatest writers and thinkers along with a space to dare, dream and imagine; … Read more

Contributors of the “foundational material of modern sport”: The ancient Olmec “rubber people” – Mesoamerica

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Episodes in the Life of Bounce by Carlin Wing, Cabinet, Issue 56 Sports Winter 2014/15 | To view more photos and read the full article, click here >> All cultures engage in some form of ball play. Ball games are a basic way for us to hone what computational neuroscientist Beau Cronin calls “the quotidian spatiotemporal genius … Read more

eJournal | Finding common ground as identity is being “performed”: A festival positions the Tangsa community in the in the wider world around it – Assam and Arunachal Pradesh

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From Ritual to Performance: The Transformation of a Tangsa Festival in Assam, North-east India Meenaxi Barkataki-Ruscheweyh, University of Göttingen Tangsa is an umbrella term for a collection of small ethnic groups (related to the Naga) who have migrated to India from Myanmar probably within the last couple of centuries and have settled in the north-east … Read more

Celebrating the unity in the diverse culture of India – Punjab & Odisha

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Puri, May 25: The annual folk fair celebrating the tribal culture of the country and the rural heritage of different states has started off in Puri today. Members of different communities from all over India are taking part in it. […] During the five-day festival, which entered its 13th year, dance forms from various tribal … Read more

Depicting the shooting competition that concludes the Santals’ Sohrai or Harvest Festival celebrated in early January: A large mural created by village artists to express their cultural identity – West Bengal

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Sohrai – The first day The most important festival of the Santals is called Sohrai. It is the Harvest Festival celebrated after the rice harvest in early January. The celebrations stretch over several days. The first day is Um hiloah. Every family contributes half a kilo of rice, a young chicken, salt, turmeric powder, potatoes, … Read more