Today, on World Indigenous People’s Day, we had the privilege of celebrating this rich cultural heritage of the Chenchus with the students and staff of TGTWURJC(PVTG-G) girls high school Ainole, Achampet. A day full of compassion, joy, dance, music, and togetherness.

Chenchus are a particularly vulnerable tribe (PVTG), known for their unique forestry knowledge which have protected the Nallamala forests of Telangana. Yet today they struggle for their survival and identity.

Dhaatri, in collaboration with Studio Mucchatlu curated an ecological programme through an intergenerational interaction between Chenchu elders and children.

A soulful live performance by an elderly member of the Chenchu tribe, enlightened students on the Chenchu history. Women elders shared their knowledge of the forest and quizzed the children by displaying a wide array of wildfoods, traditional tools and local landscapes. A short documentary screening, further deepened everyone’s understanding of way of life of Chenchus. The students thoroughly enjoyed the vibrant sessions and treated us to a colourful cultural performance.

We are grateful to all our indigenous communities. We honor their knowledge and their deep connection with their forest habitats. Our intergenerational ecology education programme aims to bring more Adivasi schools into these conversations of indigenous led education.