Farming, festivals, and food cultures among indigenous communities in Telangana, India

ABSTRACT Festivals are an integral part of the rich and varied cultures of indigenous communities in India. Festivals are closely linked to an indigenous group’s occupations, such as cultivation, and mark a ritual calendar that directs the dietary behaviour of the community. This paper examines the festivals and food cultures of indigenous groups living in six villages in Telangana, India, using participatory qualitative methods such as focus group discussions and the mapping of seasonal calendars. There are seventy-nine unique festivals, out of which 40% (32) celebrate farm activities such as sowing and harvesting of crops, or the worship of nature and animals. Differences in dietary behaviours during festivals follow gender, age, and economic status. An examination of the traditional food culture of indigenous communities guided by festivals and traditions can provide insights relevant to the promotion of goals leading to sustainable food security in India.