CIS-A2K/Events/Living GLAM project on Santali food and culture

Context

The exploratory visit to the Museum of Santal culture in July 2024 to facilitate partnerships in West Bengal started collaboration process with Ghosaldanga Bishnubati Adibasi Trust founded by Dr. Boro Baski, West Bengal Wikimedians Group and Santali Wikimedians.

Process

CIS-A2K coordinated with several organisations and experts for developing plan for Santali food documentation. The organisations include - BAIF, Yojak, Keystone Foundation and kalpavriksha. The discussions were conducted with experts - Dr. Anindita Majumdar, Dr. Indrani Bhattacharya and Prof. Silanjan Bhattacharya to add the scientific aspect to the documentation. Several coordination meetings between the organisers and Wikimedians (Bengali and Santali) were conducted to prepare the program and logistics.

Event report

The 11th Museum Day with traditional Santal Food was organised jointly by Ghosaldanga Bishnubati Adibasi Trust (GBAT) and CIS-A2K on 8 and 9 December 2024 at RSV School and Museum of Santal Culture, Bishnubati. The documentation of the food and culture was organised by West Bengal Wikimedians User group members.

On 8 December 2024, seminar on Santali food was conducted. The speakers were - Dr. Rahi Soren, Jadavpur University; Dr. Sibdas Baskey, Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya' Prof. Onkar Prasad, Santiniketan; Ms. Gouri Tudu, Teacher and Ward Councilor, Bolpur Municipality; Mr. Subodh Kulkarni, Centre for Internet and Society, Bengaluru; Dr. Stephen Soren, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences; Ms. Parboti Murmu, Health Worker, GBAT, Ghosaldanga. The chief guest of the seminar was Vice-Chancellor Prof. Binoy Kumar Saren.

The food festival started at 3pm at Museum of Santal Culture, Bishnubati. The inauguration and speeches were made by Dr. Dukhia Murmu, Head, Dept. of Santali, Visva-Bharati University; Dr. Kalachand Mahali, University of Kalyani and Ms. Anita Tudu, Kodma, Santal Parganas.

The traditional food preparation and display of 30 items was carried out by 40 community members. The music and dance performances were also arranged during the food mela.

The cultural program was organised on 9 December 2024 at Bishnubati Village. Santal plays, cultural programmes were performed by the Ghosaldanga and Bishnubati villagers.

Media documentation about the events is available at -

Gallery

Santal Museum day banner showing organiser and program details
Food preparation at Santal food festival
Visitors enjoying recipes at the Santal Food Festival
Stall of organic food by students at the Santal food festival