Imagine a warrior dance by tribes of Nagaland or participating in a brainstorming session on challenges in front of various tribes. Samvaad 2018, a pan-India tribal conclave, being held at Gopal Maidan has emerged as a collage of tribal hues. The conclave is celebrating the country's indigenous communities and their many hues.
Participants came together at the Tribal Culture Centre (TCC) for threadbare discussions on the theme of the day across sessions on ‘Fostering a shared perspective on coming together for social change’, ‘Learning from incredible tales of collective struggle’, ‘Stories and experiences from participants on tribal culture and identity’ and other engaging themes. International tribes such as the Mauri tribe from New Zealand and Dani tribe from Indonesia also gave their perspective shared details about their journeys at relevant junctures in the discussions. The other sessions in the morning also included perspectives from change makers who stressed on the importance of continuing focus on the social and economic development of their communities and deliberated on solutions for common issues that tribal communities face on a day-to-day basis.
The evening air at Gopal Maidan resonated with the enthralling sound and sights of tribal musical instruments and dance. Performances included Boto Dance, a traditional wedding dance of Laddakh which is characterized by vibrant hues and use of traditional ornaments and attire, Kokkali Dance, a presentation by Kani tribe from God’s Own Country-Kerala. Kokkali dance is an art form derived from the Kalarippayatt, performed during different auspicious occasions.
Other performances included Langkhon Phuja Mishawa from the Tea Tribes of Assam. This is a festive celebration performance in the month of Kati (October-November) where in young boys and girls dance with decorated bamboo sticks. It was followed by Barat Phuja Mishawa, again by the Tea Tribe of Assam wherein girls are worshipped.
Around 17 tribes of Jharkhand showcased their diversity and unity through the ‘Colours of Jharkhand’ performance which mesmerized the audiences. The amalgamation of dance performances by different tribal groups of Jharkhand showcased the cultural heritage of the state at its best.
The day also witnessed intense discussions as part of workshops that highlighted stories and experiences from participants on Tribal Culture and Identity. The session on learning from the incredible tales of collective struggle, sacrifice and success among tribal communities was also very engaging for the participants.
