Leaf Music - The Toto Tribe

The Totos - A tribe which is supposed to be smallest in number are also one of the primitive tribal group , going through the transitional phase of modernity into their life and culture . Their number is said to be not more than 1500 or so and are still rooted in Totopara , a small village close to Madarihat, at the edge of rivulet Huari along the Titi Forest in West Bengal. The heavy rains in Bhutan swells the river during the monsoon season , when Totopara gets disconnected from the world. The promised bridge to Jaigaon is still a dream though the govt has given them the facilities like a school, a primary health centre , a hospital and a bank. According to Anthropologists Toto culture and language is unique to the tribe. Medical research has also proved that Totos have a high carrier rate of Thalassemia due to community’s age-old tradition of endogamy because Totos are very conservative and marry within the tribe to preserve their ethnicity. This means marriages take place between cousins too. 

During my visit I was lucky to be part of a marriage reception and was introduced to this musician from the tribe. A native skill slowly disappearing as the younger lot trying to bridge the gap between the tradition they grew up with and modernity that is being exposed to them through the mobile handsets and dish antennas that one sees everywhere in Totopara.

And here is the aspiration of the Third graduate from the village which reflects the transition the tribe is going through.

http://www.countercurrents.org/chanda190915.htm

Notes from the North East - Wakro

We decided to take a chance at birding inspite of the showers the previous night and a cloudy morning ahead. There were plenty of Ashy Wood Swallows swooping above the circuit house with their squeaky calls...

A little ahead this colorful insect was basking itself on a bridge of a small stream

Striated bulbuls were in plenty everywhere in Wakro

Lush greenery around the hills due to rains gave a beautiful feeling to be around there

Pin-tailed pigeon seemed to be waiting for sunshine

Degradation of the forests can seen everywhere which has also brought in huge migrant labour population from other states to Arunachal Pradesh.They are employed as labourers in the tea gardens or orange orchards everywhere. In fact at few of the places we saw more non Arunachalis than the locals

One more birding spot marked

When birds weren't plenty you start aiming your cameras at the butterflies..:-)

This fellow was curious about the strangers in his land and that was definitely not a friendly look!!

Sad truth about how packaging of what we consume is affecting everyone's life

We drove little ahead to Parashuram Kund as the rains did not allow us much birding.

Situated at the deep gorge of river Lohit, the entire area around Prashuram Kund is very windy.No wonder this Horizontal  Axis Wind Turbine seemed to be working really well

Hornbills love this fruit, but did not see any at that time

There were two of the HAWTs there...for some strange reason they looked like a couple, one was silent and the other was full throttle ..:-)

This beauty made me chase for long time before settling down on the leaf

Lohit seem to be flowing ...but isn't as happy as I had seen it in the year 2002.  The construction and excavation have ruined the unique geographical features as a result of the work on the dam, as well as a bridge a few hundred meters away

Malayan giant squirrel (Ratufa bicolor) seemed oblivious about our presence

Just a board without a single soul around...

The rocky outcrop is supposed to be the axe of Parashuram

The setting was beautiful. But was longing for hot cup of tea. Hence, crossed over the bridge and found a tiny shop run by a Nepali to enjoy the tea

Saw this cutie waiting for someone

Being not really a very religious person, I was happy to see the kund from afar..

We returned to Wakro and as planned met "Uncle Moosa" at his Apne library ..more on this very inspiring person will be posted soon on this blog soon..

We were to meet again, but never mind one group photo..:-) 

We decided to check on the routes for Kamlang .We could not but admire this beautiful Mishmi dwelling on our way...

The typical frontal roof of the Mishmi House

The brother n sister were chooo chweet and enjoying their school vacation time.

uuuuhhhhh look at that sweet smile when we requested her to do pose.

At a closeby house saw the well preserved Mithun remnants

The fruit resembled Brinjal  

When the clouds cleared a bit, butterflies started showing up

 A wide variety of wildflowers can also seen around the place.

Emerald dove was pacing across the road. You can see these birds all over Arunachal

Love the pink of the wild banana flower 

 It was time to return back to the circuit house 

The entire landscape was mesmerizing in the setting sun.We decided to explore this beautiful spot again the next day day and finally drove back to the circuit house to retire for the day...

Pangsu Pass Winter Festival - 2012

Photo Courtesy : Arif Siddiqui

The intention of the Pangsu Pass Winter Festival - 2013 is to transcend geographical frontiers by revealing the enigma of amazing Arunachal, including that of mesmerizing Myanmar. It has become a wonderful medium to commemorate the glorious bygone eras of the many lively tribes of the serene state. Pangsu Pass Winter Festival has been successfully scripting the triumphs of tribal heritage and ethnicity of the region.
 

The venue of the event, Nampong, the venue of the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival, is an EAC HQ of Changlang district (situated in the southeastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, North East India). A small hilly town along the Indo-Myanmar border and Namchik basin, it is covered with evergreen tropical rain forest and is designated as a global village as it conjoins the diverse tribes of the North East region and of Myanmar to display their customs and cultures in the broader perspective. The cultural carnival has cut across social barriers, inspiring the secluded regions to celebrate the ethnic existences that strongly bond all the distinct tribes with diverse cultures and different religious backgrounds.
 

Besides illustrating cultures and traditions, this mega event also offers "Kodak Moments" for the awestruck visitors. Located in one of the most peaceful and eco-friendly territories, Pangsau Pass is a nature’s storehouse. As the odyssey of discovery penetrates the heart of the ethnic extravaganza, events spontaneously begin to weave unforgettable memories. The rustic lanes, the endless greenery, the dense foliage obscuring the motor tracks, the plummeting rivulets near the historic Stillwell Road, the birds diving through the tree canopies, the insects in the forest floor, and the galloping animals make a sojourn here worthwhile. 
 

The surprise does not end on the festive ground, though; there is more in the package. As the journey moves into tribal territory, the fragrance of wild orchids enthralls the weary mind, the ballet of colorful butterflies gladdens the heart, the throng of lively birds hypnotizes - and those startling experiences encourage asking for more. The excursion from the mainland of Nampong to the No Man’s Land on the international border is remarkable.
 

During the three-day extravaganza, survive the heady thrill of the folk songs and dances, the ethnic food fiesta, traditional sports, the Pangsau Pass expedition, sightseeing, Burmese culture, as well as visits to the World War-II cemetery, the border bazaar, The Lake of No Return, The Hell Gate, WW-II medical ruins at Wintong, the ethnic museum...the list of pleasures is long.
 

Everything freezes in the memories, the incredible memories of that freezing January. Time halts, memories tumble on to the albums and life smiles. Relive eternally those nostalgic moments created by the ethnic fiesta called Pangsau Pass Winter Festival 2013. 

Join IT Nature Club in exploring this cultural extravaganza during the month of January 2013.

ITINERARY :

19th January 2013 - Arrive at Dibrugarh by flight/train and travel 5 hours to Nampong, the venue of Pangsu Pass Winter Festival. Acclimatize and overnight camping.

20th January 2013 - Attend the festival inauguration and the cultural performance, experience the local cuisine and crafts, mingle with the most colorful indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh. Overnight camping.

21st January 2013 - Visit the World War II Cemetery near Jairampur. Jeep expedition to Pangsau Pass and cross into Burma to visit the Burmese village of Pangswa and lake of no return(subject to permission from Army). Return to Nampong. Evening cultural show. Overnight camping.

22nd  January 2013 - Morning optional hike to Tangsa village to soak into their life and culture. Early lunch and transfer to Dihing River Camp. Evening Bihu celebration followed by traditional Assamese dinner. Overnight at Dihing River Camp.

23rd January  2013 - Morning village experience. After breakfast check out.

Cost : Rs.27,400 /- per person

Includes:
01 night at Dihing River Camp
02 nights at PPWF Tented Village
All meals ( Lunch on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 4)
Inner Line Permits
Permits for Pangsau Pass expedition
English-speaking guide
All taxes

Cost does not include :Entrance/Permit fees not mentioned above
Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours.
Extra Meals Ordered
Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.
Any Kind of Drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated)
Any thing not specifically mentioned under the head  "includes”

For the booking confirmation deposit/transfer the as per the following details:

Account Type: Current Account
Account Name: IT Nature Club
Bank: Corporation Bank
Account No. : 128801601000060
Branch: Jigani
Code : CORP0001288

For more information and booking contact :--
IT Nature Club
C/O Avanti Holidays
1922.Nisarga Layout
3rd Main 4th A Cross
Bannerghatta Post
Bangalore-560083
Tel/Fax : 080 - 27824059
(M) : 9845383882 / 9902913882
Email :itnatureclub@gmail.com
Web : http://www.itnatureclub.in