“While benefiting from affirmative action in some cases, Adivasis or indigenous people in India also feel the claustrophobic confines of their identity which has been imposed on them by others, be it the colonial administrator, the colonial anthropologist, the missionary or the neo-liberal, neo-imperialist forces that rule global economy today.” – Santali poet, scholar and translator Ivy Imogene Hansdak in “Is tribal identity relevant in today’s world?”, Inaugural Speech, National Conference “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (2017)
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=23032
[…] Twelve Dongria villages have now unanimously voted against Vedanta’s mine during consultations ordered by India’s Supreme Court in April 2013, because their religious, cultural and social rights would be jeopardized if mining were to go ahead. Dongria leader Lodu Sikaka said, ‘Our God lives in open space, you keep your God locked up with … Read more
As global monoculture erodes cultural diversity, the variety of tribal festivals and rituals is a reminder that humans have diverse insights, different priorities, and choose other – successful – ways of living. Click on the photo or here to view the entire slideshow with more information and other series on tribal communities all over the … Read more
The Vayali Folklore Group has been awarded Junior Fellowship by the Government of India for the research of Kerala’s bamboo music traditions in 2013. This is a two year programme by the central culture ministry.
To invite Vayali and support the team’s efforts in the field of biodiversity and education, contact:
Vinod Nambiar
Executive Director
Vayali Folklore Group
Arangottukara
Thrissur – 679 532
Kerala, India
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von Fürer-Haimendorf, Christoph. Tribes of India: The Struggle for Survival. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1982, pp. 36-37: Rebellions of aboriginal tribesmen against the authority of the government are among the most tragic conflicts between ruler and ruled. Whatever course the clash may take, it is always a hopeless struggle of the weak against the strong, … Read more
Shruti Agarwal, Gudalur, 30 September 2013 A Bettakurumba man watches a herd of elephants at close quarters | Read the full blog and view more photos here >> Coexisting with elephants would seem unthinkable and impossible to most of us. Yet adivasis in Gudalur have done so for generations and continue to do so. They share their home, the … Read more