The Ger of the Nomads of Mongolia
The Ger of the Nomads of Mongolia

By Santosh Ojha

A Ger is a dwelling of the nomads of Mongolia, which has retained its design for centuries. The Ger is designed to be dismantled and rebuilt in just a few hours. The basic structure is of latticed woodwork sections, and it always faces south.

A Ger is a dwelling of the nomads of Mongolia, which has retained its design for centuries. The Ger is designed to be dismantled and rebuilt in just a few hours. The basic structure is of latticed woodwork sections, and it always faces south.

The ‘Seasonal Teachers’ of Kashmir brave snow, dense forests and an inhospitable terrain
The ‘Seasonal Teachers’ of Kashmir brave snow, dense forests and an inhospitable terrain

By Mudassir Kuloo

Even though they are paid by the government for only six months in a year to teach the children of nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal communities, educational volunteers brave snow and wild animals and trek several kilometres to keep J&K’s ‘seasonal centres’ of education going.

Even though they are paid by the government for only six months in a year to teach the children of nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal communities, educational volunteers brave snow and wild animals and trek several kilometres to keep J&K’s ‘seasonal centres’ of education going.

The Bakarwals of Jammu & Kashmir are in the throes of transition
The Bakarwals of Jammu & Kashmir are in the throes of transition

By Aditi Kashyap and Nameera Anjum

In a village near Jammu, members of the nomadic Bakarwal tribe prepare to travel to the upper reaches of Kashmir along with their livestock. But not all of them will as many young people are breaking away from their nomadic past to look for better livelihoods elsewhere.

In a village near Jammu, members of the nomadic Bakarwal tribe prepare to travel to the upper reaches of Kashmir along with their livestock. But not all of them will as many young people are breaking away from their nomadic past to look for better livelihoods elsewhere.

Living on the knife's edge
Living on the knife's edge

By Madhav Sharma

The nomadic Sikligar community that claims to have made weapons for the army of Guru Tegh Bahadur, now lives in abject poverty and its children, as young as 12 years, roam the streets of Jaipur to sharpen knives to earn a living. But customers are drying up as no one repairs knives these days.

The nomadic Sikligar community that claims to have made weapons for the army of Guru Tegh Bahadur, now lives in abject poverty and its children, as young as 12 years, roam the streets of Jaipur to sharpen knives to earn a living. But customers are drying up as no one repairs knives these days.

Maldhari Women Changemakers of Banni Grasslands in Kachchh
Maldhari Women Changemakers of Banni Grasslands in Kachchh

By Astha Chaudhary and Dipti Arora

The women of the Maldhari community have a huge role to play in the rearing of livestock. They are also very artistic and their embroideries are works of art. On International Women’s Day, read about three women who have dared to dream and have made their presence felt in the semi-nomadic community.

The women of the Maldhari community have a huge role to play in the rearing of livestock. They are also very artistic and their embroideries are works of art. On International Women’s Day, read about three women who have dared to dream and have made their presence felt in the semi-nomadic community.

Shangdong to Stupa: A prayer for the wolves in Ladakh
Shangdong to Stupa: A prayer for the wolves in Ladakh

By Pankaja Srinivasan

On World Wildlife Day today, read about a successful communities-based conservation initiative launched in Ladakh. Local communities that once trapped and killed wolves, are now pledging to conserve them. The traditional wolf traps or Shangdongs have been deactivated and stupas have come up near them.

On World Wildlife Day today, read about a successful communities-based conservation initiative launched in Ladakh. Local communities that once trapped and killed wolves, are now pledging to conserve them. The traditional wolf traps or Shangdongs have been deactivated and stupas have come up near them.

Reviving the quilting craft of the Kalbelia community of snake charmers
Reviving the quilting craft of the Kalbelia community of snake charmers

By Chandraprakash Pathak

The Kalbelia community has its own traditional craft in which the gudari work or quilting is done on recycled pieces of fabric using vibrant coloured threads like acrylic wool yarns, silk and mirrors. The Kalbelia Craft Revival Project is trying to revive this art and support the livelihoods of its artists who are forced to work as daily wage labourers.

The Kalbelia community has its own traditional craft in which the gudari work or quilting is done on recycled pieces of fabric using vibrant coloured threads like acrylic wool yarns, silk and mirrors. The Kalbelia Craft Revival Project is trying to revive this art and support the livelihoods of its artists who are forced to work as daily wage labourers.

Children of the Pardhi 'hunting' tribe emerge as writers, theatre artists and Gond art painters
Children of the Pardhi 'hunting' tribe emerge as writers, theatre artists and Gond art painters

By Satish Malviya

Pardhi, a denotified nomadic community, continues to face social stigma, and the majority of its members make a living collecting recyclable wastes or selling bangles. Aranyavas in Bhopal provides free shelter to Pardhi children so that they can get an education and shun the tag of belonging to a 'criminal tribe'.

Pardhi, a denotified nomadic community, continues to face social stigma, and the majority of its members make a living collecting recyclable wastes or selling bangles. Aranyavas in Bhopal provides free shelter to Pardhi children so that they can get an education and shun the tag of belonging to a 'criminal tribe'.

The ‘agraharam’ of Kalpathy, Kerala’s first heritage village
The ‘agraharam’ of Kalpathy, Kerala’s first heritage village

By Pankaja Srinivasan

In Kalpathy, in Palakkad district, there is history to be had at every sit-out that runs in the front of the traditional homes built around the many temples.

In Kalpathy, in Palakkad district, there is history to be had at every sit-out that runs in the front of the traditional homes built around the many temples.

Training in cultivation and animal husbandry empowers Birhor tribal women in Jharkhand
Training in cultivation and animal husbandry empowers Birhor tribal women in Jharkhand

By Manoj Choudhary

Birhor tribe is one of the eight particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) in Jharkhand that has remained trapped in poverty and deprivation. An initiative has trained Birhor women of Jehen Gutwa village in vegetable cultivation and animal husbandry, which has arrested migration and improved the community's nutritional standard.

Birhor tribe is one of the eight particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) in Jharkhand that has remained trapped in poverty and deprivation. An initiative has trained Birhor women of Jehen Gutwa village in vegetable cultivation and animal husbandry, which has arrested migration and improved the community's nutritional standard.

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