Revival of traditions

“A great deal of things could be learnt from their culture.” – Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of free India, quoted in The Tribal Culture of India by Lalita Prasad Vidyarthi and Binay Kumar Rai
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=19220

Doctorate on edible mushroom: Applying traditional knowledge of people belonging to Kaani tribe in the Western Ghats – Tamil Nadu

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The traditional knowledge of people belonging to Kaani tribe in the Western Ghats of Kanyakumari district has helped a research student secure her doctorate. The Kaani tribe, who inhabit hills and deep jungles, are a veritable storehouse of traditional wisdom. Their traditional knowledge is passed orally through generations. Mushrooms form a prominent place in their … Read more

Constructive action is our only future – Prof. Ganesh Devy on the “adivasiness of the tribals” in Gujarat

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WHEN Gujarat was burning between 27 February and 4 March [2002], the tribal belt on the eastern border of Gujarat was quiet. The only exception was the two districts of Panchmahals for which Godhra is the main town. Elsewhere in the tribal areas, tribals, Hindus and Muslims continued to coexist peacefully. The only disturbing sight … Read more

“We now had history on our side”: Poet Kamal Kumar Tanti on his search for identity – From Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal to the tea gardens of Assam

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The Assamese poet Kamal Kumar Tanti won the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in the year 2012 for his book of poems, Marangburu Amar Pita. The phrase “Marangburu amarpita” can be roughly translated into English as “Marangburu, my father”. Marang Buru is the highest deity among some Adivasi communities of eastern and central India who follow … Read more

A museum made by members of seven major tribal communities: Showcasing tribal lore, knowledge of the surroundings, nature, seasons, spirituality – Madhya Pradesh

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Madhya Pradesh tribal museum with work by Gond, Bhil, Baiga, Kol, Korku, Sahariya, Bharia tribes. Photo: Gowri Ramnarayan A new museum in Madhya Pradesh showcases the oral narratives of seven major tribes. And it’s put together by the tribals themselves, says Gowri Ramnarayan. Once upon a time, the mighty God Badadev disappeared into the Saja … Read more

Each tribal community retains its distinct rural culture: A small state with 19 sub-tribes – Tripura

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A group of tribals from Tripura have been on a visit to the Nilgiris. The tribals from various parts of India have been brought to the Nilgiris under a scheme sponsored by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The visit is aimed at bridging cultural differences among the tribals and promoting camaraderie among them. The group … Read more