Guwahati: Cotton University hosted a Tribal Cultural Knowledge Exchange Initiative on November 25, bringing together cultural practitioners from Kerala and Assam for an interactive dialogue on indigenous traditions.
The programme was jointly organised by KIRTADS (Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) and the Department of English, Cotton University, with facilitation by the Piramal Foundation in association with the Centre for Women’s Studies.
A team of around 15 cultural resource persons—including anthropologists, storytellers, artisans, culinary practitioners and cultural knowledge keepers—participated in the exchange.
The group, led by writer, sociologist and anthropologist Dr Indu Menon, is travelling under a Ministry of Tribal Affairs grant as part of a wider cultural outreach itinerary.
The event opened with a welcome address by Dr Jeetumoni Basumatary, Assistant Professor in the Department of English, followed by remarks from poet and curator Madhu Raghuvendran, research fellow at the Piramal Foundation, and Dr Mitra Das, Deputy Director, AIRT&SC. Speakers highlighted the importance of experiential learning and cross-cultural engagement in understanding tribal knowledge systems.
Dr Menon introduced the visiting Irula, Kani and Bettakurumba communities, whose members showcased diverse cultural expressions. Among the participants was Nanjiyamma, the National Award–winning playback singer from the Irula community, who captivated the audience with a traditional song.
The session explored myths, spiritual worldviews, shamanic practices and everyday cultural traditions of the tribal communities. A key highlight was the interactive segment on indigenous food culture, where participants presented staple dishes prepared using local ingredients and traditional techniques, encouraging dialogue on culinary knowledge and sustainability.
The two-and-a-half-hour programme offered students and attendees a deeper understanding of India’s indigenous heritage. Organisers noted that such initiatives help recognise and preserve traditional knowledge systems that have shaped tribal communities across generations.
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