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
A workshop for the Santal flute called Tiryo and Murli was held 16th September 2012 at Ghosaldanga near Santiniketan. The workshop marked the beginning of a major effort, namely to actively involve Santali villagers and youths in the revival of their musical heritage. There was much excitement right from the start. The group discussed which … Read more
By Mari Marcel Thekaekara, The New Internationalist, September 14, 2012 Culture is a tricky thing. How do we define it? Who decides when customs and traditions, even ancient, cherished ones, can be dispensed with? These and many other similar questions have been debated by the Adivasi groups we (ACCORD, an NGO in the Nilgiri hills of … Read more
The Jennu Habba – Honey Festival and exhibition drew about 400 visitors. The Vidyodaya schoolchildren enjoyed intensive sessions with the elders of Kattunayakan tribe: It is the honey season and bee hives in the forest are bursting with sweetness. Over generations our people, the Kattunayakans have mastered the skills required to take honey from the … Read more
In the Shadow of Wounded Knee After 150 years of broken promises, the Oglala Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota are nurturing their tribal customs, language, and beliefs. A rare, intimate portrait shows their resilience in the face of hardship. By Alexandra Fuller Photograph by Aaron Huey Read the full article … Read more
Meena Menon, The Hindu, August 1, 2012 New Jalda is an example of how, in the name of the tiger, clearing core forest areas of people who have always lived there does not work well for them For a tribe that was forbidden from ploughing the earth by religious tenets and had a special ceremony … Read more