The Gumla district in southwest Jharkhand is mainly inhabited by indigenous groups such as the Kurux. The region is therefore rich in culture and traditions. But little by little, traditional structures and knowledge are being lost. The younger generation is finding it increasingly difficult to reconcile tradition and modernity.
The Schöck Familien Stiftung supported a program to protect the traditional structures of the indigenous population and to strengthen their livelihood.
The Samaj Pragati Kendra organization is committed to strengthening the population in the Gumla district by working with the people to find solutions for using the available resources effectively and sustainably on the one hand, and developing new income-generating measures on the other. This and also concrete measures to introduce them to their own culture, such as the construction of an Adivasi museum, language classes and the teaching of traditional art, help to ensure that the population and traditions are strengthened in the long term.
In order to increase people’s livelihood, various income-generating measures are being developed together with the villagers: young people are trained in sewing and thus earn an additional income. Women even open their own shops where they can sell the clothes. The creation of kitchen gardens has a double benefit for the families: they use some of the grown vegetables for their own consumption, and they can sell the surplus.
In order to strengthen the main source of income, agricultural cultivation, dams are built. They ensure that rainwater is stored and the fields can be irrigated more effectively, and erosion is also prevented. These measures are carried out together with the residents and with the support of the government.
In the course of protecting and strengthening the culture, traditional musical instruments are used again at celebrations. The original language should also be brought closer to people again. Speeches should be held in the traditional language again and even the students are taught in this language. Selected people are trained to bring the traditional art and culture closer to the other residents. They serve as “ambassadors” of their culture, so to speak. The characteristics of their culture are systematically documented so that people can regain a feeling for their origins. Traditional items are even displayed in a museum which the community and outsiders can visit. On the one hand, the culture is brought closer to the people themselves, on the other hand, it is preserved for future generations.
Project No.: 135-21
Funding country: India
Funding location: Gumla District, Jharkhand
Funding year: 2021 – 2022
Project partner: Andheri Hilfe eV
Local organization: Samaj Pragati Kendra, Ranchi, Jharkhand