Adivasi societies – a heterogeneous set of ethnic and tribal groups in South Asia

by

Adivasi (a Hindi word that literally means the original inhabitants) is a term for a heterogeneous set of ethnic and tribal groups believed to be the aboriginal population of India. Adivasi societies are present in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and other South Asian nations. Adivasi is officially recognized by the Indian government as “Scheduled Tribes” … Read more

Tip | The distinction between “folk” and “tribal” music: Cultures that are very different

by

OVERVIEW OF INDIAN FOLK MUSIC by David Courtney | View his illustrated, up-to-date version here >> India has a very rich tradition of folk music.  The extreme cultural diversity creates endless varieties of folk styles.  Each region has its own particular style. There is a tendency to lump folk music along with tribal music.  There … Read more

Video | Growing interest in rural and tribal culture: Where men, women and children dance together on many occasions

by

Sample from the search results for “santal dance video”: Women and men practicing  “Santal Folk Dance” together in a public park – Published by ansigovin on Nov 2, 2012 “Traditional Dance in South Asia” by Rolf Killius Dance and music are the oldest and most original art forms in the world and especially numerous and developed in South Asia. Thus … Read more

Tip | “Forests Alive”: Educational and other books combining scientific knowledge and hereditary practices of the Soliga and other tribal communities worldwide

by

ATREE at Biligiri Rangaswamy Wildlife Sanctuary The process, while documenting and archiving a vast resource of places and stories, also provided a critical understanding of the ways Soligas interacted with the landscape. ATREE used formal cartographic instruments such as GIS-enabled devices, to locate places and names that Soligas identified with in mainstream maps. ATREE has developed … Read more