Sacred Mountain of the Dongria Kondh

Posted January 21, 2009 By Nancy

The Dongria Kondh live in the Niyamgiri Hills of the Indian region of Orissa. Vedanta Resources is poised to mine their sacred mountain known as the “mountain of law.” The tribal members regard the mountain peak as the home of their god who protects the forests.Tribal members call themselves Jharnia which means “protector of streams” because they protect their sacred mountain and its life-giving rivers that rise from the mountain’s thick forests.Please help by sending a letter to the Prime Minister of India: http://www.survival-international.org/tribes/dongria/sacredmountain 

Categories: India, letter writing

Sohrai Festival in Jharkhand, India

Posted November 5, 2008 By Nancy

The tribal people of Jharkhand, India have just celebrated their harvest festival, Sohrai. It is a festival associated with cattle and the deity of cattle. The horns and hoofs of cattle are annointed with oil diluted with sindoor (tumeric mixed with lime to produce a vibrant red pigment) and earthenware lamps are lighted in cattle sheds and in kitchen gardens. An important feature of the festival is the painting of the walls of houses with traditional motSohrai PaintingCattle offering at Sohrai FestivalBulu Imam, Family & Friends at Sohrai Festival

Categories: India
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