Folklore and songs of the Toto community: The Anthropological Survey of India supports efforts to keep a rare Tibeto-Burman language alive – West Bengal

When scientists of the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) set out to conduct a study on language of the primitive Toto tribe, whose population has dwindled to 1,536, they did not realise that the language is more endangered than the tribe itself. During their study they recorded the vocabulary, folklore, and even some songs in … Read more

A legendary history: Hill tribes known from the Mahabharata days – Odisha

The state has the third largest population of Scheduled Tribes in India. […] Prehistoric Acheulian tools dating to Lower Paleolithic era have been discovered in various places in the region, implying an early settlement by humans. Kalinga has been mentioned in ancient texts like Mahabharata, Vayu Purana and Mahagovinda Suttanta. The Sabar people of Odisha … Read more

”No one wants the forest to disappear”: Dr. Felix Padel on peace, justice, the Forest Rights Act and music

How could peace be brought, with justice? Is there even a movement for peace? How does this war compare with other wars in India, and worldwide? Few have targeted civilian villagers as remorselessly, though Ashoka’s Kalinga war, over 2,000 years ago, that killed 100000 people directly, and many indirectly according to Ashoka’s own inscriptions, presents … Read more

“We can bring the change”: Celebrating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People at Jauramunda village – Odisha

Date: 9th August 2013Text and photos courtesy 12-8-13 © Remish Ekka Secretary cum Executive Director ANGNA Address Remish EkkaSecretary cum Executive Director ANGNAAt/P.O. Kutra-770018Dt. SundargarhOrissa, Indiaekka remish@rediffmail.comweb site- wwww.angnango.orgMb-9937875466

Irula tribe in an Interview with Dr. M.S. Swaminathan: Towards sustainable rehabilitation

Interview with Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, National Commission on Farmers, and Chairman of the national committee set up to review the implementation of the Coastal Zone Regulation Act, spoke to Asha Krishnakmar on the various aspects of rehabilitation and restoration. Excerpts from the interviewWhat is your assessment of the relief efforts for … Read more