why in news?

In a first-of-its-kind bid to showcase the heritage of tribal communities, especially those of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) has recreated the huts of several communities at its different regional centres.

Highlights:

• The effort, which will spread awareness of India’s glorious tribal culture and traditions
• the initiative would help promote “cultural heritage and optimise unused spaces
• These huts have come up outside five regional centres of AnSI in consultation with the local communities

Authentic design and materials

the traditional Jarawa hut, called a chadda, has traditional baskets, bows and arrows, and other artefacts used by the community.

• The Shompen hut contains a store of a paste made using the pandamus fruit which members of the tribe eat when there is shortage of food.
• Other huts at the regional centers include the replica of a Dorla tribal community’s home at Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. Members of the community participated in plastering mud over the bamboo wattle or slender twigs used for the side walls, while using date palm leaves to thatch the hut.
• At the regional Centre in Mysore, anthropologists had invited the people from the Betta Kuruba tribal community to construct their traditional hut. In an attempt to bring out the beauty of the  Khasi culture, the AnSI regional office at Shillong erected traditional monoliths in the office premises, including the Mawbynna or Mawnam’ which consists of three upright stones with a flat table stone in front, and the Maw Shongthait which are flat table stones, accompanied by vertical stones which serve as seats for weary travellers.