A 40-member team from Cholanaikkan community gets a first-hand feel of planetarium; experts look forward to learning a thing or two from the tribals’ knowledge of astronomy

For most of them, it was the first time venturing out of their natural habitat, the forest. Yet, it was wonder, curiosity and enthusiasm rather than discomfort that reflected on the faces of Cholanaikkans who visited the Regional Science Centre in Kozhikode on Thursday.

Cholanaikkans, who live in the deciduous forests of Nilambur, are the only surviving hunter gatherer tribe in the country and the only tribal community in Asia that lives in rock-cave shelters. Except for a few who have ventured out on their own in pursuit of education and jobs, most members of the tribe live 10 km into the forest from Nilambur and do not even accept accommodation provided by the government.

These people from the tribal colonies of Mancheeri, Poochappara, Mannala, Karimpuzha and Kuppam Mala still live on fruits, berries and meat and do not engage in farming.

For the expedition on Thursday, the 40-member team had to leave their hamlets early in the morning and walk up to 5 km to catch a vehicle. The Calicut International Airport was their first stop and later, the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium. At the science centre, a water-rocket launch demonstration welcomed them. After lunch, they had a good time exploring the exhibits at the science centre. They were later treated to a magic show by Pradeep Hudinho. This was followed by cultural programmes.

Interestingly, officials at the Science Centre had an “ulterior motive” in inviting Cholanaikkans to Kozhikode: they wanted to record the tribals’ knowledge about astronomy. In fact, Mayank Vahia from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, was here with the purpose of extending the horizon of his research on tribal astronomy by partaking in astronomical discussions with Cholanaikkans.

“I have studied the astronomy of tribals in central India. It is very different from our understanding of space. I guess Cholanaikkans have an entirely different understanding of it,” Mr. Vahia said, adding that he planned to record what they had to say when they were shown the constellations in the planetarium.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / by Aabha Anoop / Kozhikode – March 04th, 2016