In order to celebrate the new year the staff of Paryavaran Chetna Kendra (PCK) and Using Diversity (UD) Project fellows Jawaharlal Sardar and Mohan Sabar organised community gatherings and awareness programs focussing on wild food with the Sabar community in Potka Block of East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.
Van Bhoj (Forest Feast) in Burusai, Dhengam on 4th January 2022
On the 4th of January a Van Bhoj was organised at the Burusai sacred place in Dhengam village to celebrate the traditional cultivated and uncultivated food items of the Sabar community. The program involved 79 men, women and children from Dhengam and neighbouring village. Vibhishan Sardar from PCK shared that the Sabar villagers brought around 13 varieties of wild and cultivated foods. While some of the items required considerable processing and could not be prepared immediately an elderly Sabar woman roasted some wild tubers and shared it with them and Vibhishan found it very tasty.
The wild foods and other items on display included – Kanta Saag, Sawda Saag, Beelie Muthi Saag, Beecha Saag, Aalkusi Saag, Maati Saag, Mambari Saag, Pitaru Aalu, Rabai Aalu, Kukti/Kurkut, Aasan Bhatua, Jada / Papita.
Awareness program on forests and wild food with Sabar children of Hitbasa on 5th January 2022
On the 5th of January 2022 an awareness program on forests and wild food was conducted with Sabar children of Hitbasa by UD fellow Mohan Sabar and Sidheshwar Sardar and Anita Kumari from PCK. Several interactive activities were carried out to promote awareness and discussion about forests and wild food. The children were asked to name 5 wild animals, 5 trees and describe the taste of Tendu and Char fruits. The program involved 13 children and their teacher Birsa Manjhi.
Wild food awareness program with school children of Korarkocha village on 6th January 2022
On the 6th of January 2022 Using Diversity fellow Jawaharlal Sardar organised an awareness program on wild foods with the Sabar children of Korarkocha. The program was supported by Sanjeet Sardar who is a teacher for a local organisation who conducts daily classes for 2 hours with the Sabar children of the villages. Sabar village elders Chandra Sabar, Ruiba Sabar and Kala Sabar also shared their knowledge of wild food and their benefits with the children. They had a discussion on the different types of wild food like green leafy vegetables, fruits and tubers. They discussed how Mati Saag is black in colour but makes a very tasty vegetable preparation. The children shared their knowledge about the different wild foods they and enthusiastically participated in the event. The program involved 28 children and Sanjeet Sabar, the teacher, was appreciative of the initiative and felt such programs should be conducted regularly with the children.
Wild Food Celebration in Hitbasa village on 8th January 2022
On the 8th of January 2022 a community celebration of wild food was organised with the Sabar community in Hitbasa village. The program was organised by Sidheshwar Sardar, Anita Kumari, Sunita Sardar, Sonaram Bhumij from PCK and Using Diversity fellow Mohan Sabar. Around 80 Sabar men, women and children from Hitbasa, Dokasai and Podsa villages participated in the program. They brought over 14 types of wild and cultivated foods which included a variety of green leafy vegetables, fruits and tubers. After a community meal they all got together to perform traditional Sabar songs and dances.
