My curiosity to learn about the Nilgiris’ native tribes began when I symbolically became a member of the Kurumba tribe. I got the opportunity to speak to Badaga children and Toda women early into my journey. This increased my thirst to find out more. A presentation by Dr Tarun Chhabra gave me a fascinating insight into how the Toda tribe respect and conserve the mountain ecosystem.
His talk on the importance of traditional ecological knowledge addressing global climate change triggered an intriguing debate. With the advent of globalisation, we are moving towards a mono-culture whereby neighbourhoods are losing their uniqueness; some symptoms being the likes of KFC and McDonalds springing up, and bill-boards advertising major multi-national companies like Coca-Cola. This brings with it the danger of losing the inimitable legacy that has shaped cultures and traditions over generations. Dr Chhabra was adamant not to lose the traditional Toda knowledge under the guise of so called civilisation. A dentist by profession, he spends his weekends and spare time studying and recording the Toda way of life. No doubt his work will inform and inspire a generation to incorporate this traditional knowledge into the mainstream.
Todas hold natural landmarks in varying degrees of sanctity and chant the names of nearby peaks, hills, streams, valleys and so forth in their prayer. The Nilgiri peak is one of the most sacred landmarks. An annual ritual prayer is said on a hilltop for normal climatic conditions. This shows their intrinsic connection with nature. Although the total Toda population is very small i.e. around 1000, their practices and customs are of immense value in understanding how to conserve the Nilgiris.
His talk on the importance of traditional ecological knowledge addressing global climate change triggered an intriguing debate. With the advent of globalisation, we are moving towards a mono-culture whereby neighbourhoods are losing their uniqueness; some symptoms being the likes of KFC and McDonalds springing up, and bill-boards advertising major multi-national companies like Coca-Cola. This brings with it the danger of losing the inimitable legacy that has shaped cultures and traditions over generations. Dr Chhabra was adamant not to lose the traditional Toda knowledge under the guise of so called civilisation. A dentist by profession, he spends his weekends and spare time studying and recording the Toda way of life. No doubt his work will inform and inspire a generation to incorporate this traditional knowledge into the mainstream.
Todas hold natural landmarks in varying degrees of sanctity and chant the names of nearby peaks, hills, streams, valleys and so forth in their prayer. The Nilgiri peak is one of the most sacred landmarks. An annual ritual prayer is said on a hilltop for normal climatic conditions. This shows their intrinsic connection with nature. Although the total Toda population is very small i.e. around 1000, their practices and customs are of immense value in understanding how to conserve the Nilgiris.
After a visit to the Tribal Research Centre to learn about different native tribes from the Nilgiris, I stopped at a Toda mund or a hamlet. Each hamlet typically consists of five huts where the inhabitants are generally related. I got a rare chance to go inside a Toda hut. An oval shaped construction like a half barrel; these huts are a work of art. They are made from a combination of bamboo, thatch and rattan. They have a very small entrance as a means of protecting against wildlife. The arrangements inside the hut were basic. Todas live a simple life, and I realised that sometimes it is simplicity that is the forebearer of wisdom and the producer of knowledge.
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