Worship & rituals

“Bomman thatha told me that our gods live in stones, big rocks and trees. We won’t cut aal maram (Ficus religiosa) because gods will be in that tree. Even the water in the area around the tree should be used neatly and not destroyed. In our community our god Ajji (grandmother) lives in Ellamalai mountain. She is also called Thrithri Eributham. […] Before fishing or taking tubers, we will pray to god and only then we will take it.” – Wildlife conservationist Ramesh in “Bomman thatha and his forest”, a conversation with his grandfather on “bonding between adivasi people and the forest” (At the Edge of Existence, 29 October 2014)
https://cultureandconservation.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/bomman-thatha-and-his-forest/
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=8262

Video | The Karbi Ramayana in Assam and its Modern Re-telling in Documentary Film: Papers presented for “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (National Conference)

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Abstract 1: The Karbi Ramayana in Assam and its Modern Re-telling in Documentary FilmPaper presented for “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (National Conference) – New Delhi ANANYA BARUADepartment of Philosophy, Hindu College, New Delhi KEYWORDS: RAMAYANA, DOCUMENTARY, INDONESIA, SABIL-ALUN, KARBI While Ramayana: The Epic is a 2010 computer-animated film from India’s Maya Digil … Read more

The relevance of Vidyasagar in education: “Indian culture is syncretic in nature” – West Bengal

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Suranjan Das, vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University Kolkata Vidyasagar did not want to build India based on religion; instead he wanted India to be the melting pot of all cultures […] Vidyasagar symbolised modernity and he dreamt of India emerging as a modern state. His modernity had no connection with any religion […] Indian culture does … Read more

eBook | Santals as a community: A brief introduction to their culture and approach to development

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A brief introduction of Santal life and culture and our approach to developmentby Dr. Boro Baski | Read the full text (PDF, 130 KB): A brief introduction of Santal life and culture and our approach to development >> Santals as a community We, the Santals are one of the largest homogeneous tribal communities of India, counting more … Read more

Video | “Kanavu: A School with A Difference” (Wayanad) for and by tribal communities in tune with their environment – Kerala

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Once they were the owners of these lands, All these vast expanses of forests, mountains and valleys belonged to them, and they lived of the fruits of nature without disturbing its harmony. Their rhythm of life was in tandem with the tunes of their environment. A rhythm that echoes in their music. Their music and … Read more

Role models for members of “hill-tribes” forcibly brought down to the plains: Irulas in pursuit of higher education – Tamil Nadu

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How Tamil Nadu’s Irula students are struggling to pursue higher education | To read the full story in the New Indian Express, click here >> As [the correspondent] travels across the northern districts of Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Vellore, and Tiruvannamalai, it becomes clear that hundreds of Irula students, like Dhanalakshmi, have been struggling without a community … Read more