Thursday 25 December 2014

We need tribal people much more than they need us


Usually we have to travel long distances in search of roots but sometimes almost miraculously roots come and find us. That is what happened to us at the Forest Foods and Ecology Festival in New Delhi. 


Suddenly, on one fine Friday morning, I found myself surrounded by roots and roots…

“Hey Jagannath, do you remember the bearded farmer we had gone to meet in the forest? Has he come?”

“Ahahah yes, they both have come,” laughs Jagannath. “This one and that one.”

“They were two?? I never realized! They all look so similar!!”
                                                                                   

Our ancestors’ and up to today’s Adivasis’ staple food… intriguing roots... so many of them… in all shapes and sizes… 

And this one is the one that fascinates me most… to prepare it is a long process… It has to be boiled and cut in 4 pieces. Then it is put in a basket that is kept overnight in the river. Once again it has to be boiled, and then only after being peeled, it can be prepared as any other vegetable… 



Here, I can’t help but make a connection with the words of Anodea Judith in her chapter on Muladhara or Root Chakra...

Continue reading on website... Ancient Roots

2 comments:

  1. Very interesting and informative write up


    Through our roots we gain nourishment, power, stability and growth. Grounding provides a connection that makes us feel safe, alive, centered in ourselves, and rooted in our environment. When we are grounded, we are humble and close to the Earth. We live simply, in a state of grace.”

    thanx again

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    1. Thanks a lot Vibhaas Awasthi for this comment.

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