From August 1 to 31, the Tribal Design Forum is celebrating International day of World’s Indigenous People by organizing online discussions and presentations featuring creative designers and professionals from various tribal communities across India.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was commemorated yesterday, August 9, however the Tribal Design Forum (TDF) will celebrate the occasion through a month of online talks and interactions to present the contemporary side of tribal communities of India and celebrate the contemporary tribal imagination over a period of one month.

Open to all, the TDF has curated a selection of 31 speakers from various tribes of India who would be sharing their work in their area of art, culture, design, music, films, textiles, fashion and technology.

The speakers ranges from tribes in the north-east (Ao, Angami, Konyak, Sumi, Khadi, Garo, Galo, Kachari, Lepcha) to speakers from Central India and East (Gond, Santhal, Oraon, Munda) to speakers from the West (Warli, Rathwa, Bhil) which will be a kaleidoscopic presentation of the rich, vibrant and diverse but contemporary tribal communities and cultures.

“Tribal Design Forum hopes that these series of talks will help the world recognise tribes in transition and see the often ignored and hidden side of the current generation of tribal people,” says the Forum.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

Tribal Design Forum

The Tribal Design Forum is a community of multidisciplinary designers and creative professionals from various tribes of India.  It is a platform to share ideas and learnings to explore the role design can play for the benefit of designers and tribal communities in India.

The forum began during the COVID-19 pandemic when some NID (National Institute of Design) alumni began meeting online. As more members joined, they learned about each other’s communities and work, gaining valuable insights. During this time, members realized how many people were doing unique work for their communities, work that was unknown to both the public and often even to each other. This realization led to the creation of the Tribal Design Forum, a platform where people could gradually connect and learn from one another.

Additionally,    the       forum   includes           other    creative            professionals    from     fields    such     as film, travel, and food. Comprehensive information about the forum members is available in detail on the forum’s website in the community section, where over 170 members are categorized into five groups based on their current profession.

The forum aims to leverage the intellectual resources of the community itself, including the youth and their traditional knowledge and skills, to address the challenges faced by tribal communities and promote their economic development.

What major work has the forum done?

The forum has undertaken various research and documentation projects related to tribal textiles, branding, competitions, and market linkages. As part of these projects, the forum has provided internships to young people, giving them an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and practical skills.

The forum regularly offers internships where young people can work with leading industry companies to gain experience. Some of the notable projects include research and documentation on traditional textiles in Jharkhand and Nagaland, rebranding of the tribal food entrepreneur Ajam Emba, branding for the Integrated Tribal Development Agency of Utnoor Telangana, tribal heritage photography contest, visual art contest, online sale of Gond art, and organizing a market fair for tribal products in collaboration with TRIFED Jharkhand.

A significant initiative is the TDF Bootcamp, which was first held at the Adivasi Academy in Tejgadh, Gujarat. The bootcamp gathered individuals from diverse communities and genders from across India for a week-long residency to explore regional tribal culture, traditions, art, and local markets. The bootcamp provided a platform for tribal and non-tribal people to interact through various discussions and workshops. The forum also invites experts in tribal issues and other fields to the bootcamp to discuss and strategize.

Additionally, forum members organize TDF meetups or open studios in their cities, towns, and villages, creating opportunities for informal gatherings to discuss work or interesting topics over tea. Complete information about TDF meetups and open studios is available on the website’s homepage.

Upcoming events:

• Design and Entrepreneurship Residential Course: To promote entrepreneurship and sensitivity towards tribal issues, a residential course will be held at the Tribal Academy, Tejgadh, Gujarat, in collaboration with the Adivasi Academy and Amazon.[Aug 26- Sept 20 ]
• TDF Kohima Bootcamp (Nagaland): In collaboration with Woven Threads, this bootcamp will provide participants with an opportunity to experience and understand local tribal culture, art, traditions, and the tribal economy.[Oct 2- Oct 4]
• TDF Ukhrul Bootcamp (Manipur): In collaboration with Ishii, this bootcamp will offer a similar experience. [Oct 6 – Oct 8]. Information about previous bootcamps is available on the website and Instagram handle.