TODA TRIBES FESTIVAL: ART & CULTURE

TODA TRIBES FESTIVAL: ART & CULTURE

NEWS: Toda tribe in Nilgiris celebrates Modwerth festival

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

The Toda tribe in the Nilgiris celebrates the Modwerth festival, emphasizing cultural unity and planning for community progress. Known for their distinctive pastoral lifestyle, embroidered shawls, and sacred buffalo worship, the Todas face challenges of declining population and cultural preservation.

1. Location and Population

  • Geography: Reside in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, mainly around Udhagamandalam (Ooty).
  • Population: A small tribal community with a declining population over the years.

2. Language and Culture

  • Language: Speak the Toda language, belonging to the Dravidian family.
  • Distinctive Features:
  • Famous for Toda embroidery, recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
  • Perform unique rituals linked to dairy, temples, and buffaloes.

3. Livelihood and Housing

  • Occupation: Traditionally pastoral, rearing buffaloes and producing dairy products.
  • Housing: Live in semi-barrel-shaped huts called “munds.”

4. Religion and Festivals

  • Religion: Animistic beliefs, worshiping nature, buffaloes, and sacred groves.
  • Festivals:
  • Modwerth Festival: A key celebration fostering cultural unity and community planning.

5. Challenges and Recognition

  • Challenges:
  • Declining population.
  • Threats to cultural and traditional practices due to modernization.
  • Recognition: Toda embroidery and lifestyle have been awarded GI status.

Source:  https://epaper.thehindu.com/reader (The Hindu Internation Edition Page No.1)