Asifabad: Adivasis pay tributes to Haimendorfs on Elizabeth Bernardo’s 35th death anniversary

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: People belonging to ethnic tribes or locally known as Adivasis paid rich tributes to the famous anthropologist Professor Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf and his wife Elizabeth Bernardo on the 35th death anniversary of Elizabeth, at Marlavai village in Jainoor mandal on Tuesday. Zilla Chairperson Kova Laxmi was the chief guest of the event. […]

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: People belonging to ethnic tribes or locally known as Adivasis paid rich tributes to the famous anthropologist Professor Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf and his wife Elizabeth Bernardo on the 35th death anniversary of Elizabeth, at Marlavai village in Jainoor mandal on Tuesday. Zilla Chairperson Kova Laxmi was the chief guest of the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Laxmi opined that the contributions of both Haimendorf and Elizabeth were unforgettable. She requested everyone to strive for preserving and protecting the distinct culture and traditions of aboriginal tribals. She said that the government was giving paramount importance to ensure all round growth of the ethnic tribes.

The headman of the village Lachupatel paid tributes and observed the death anniversary by conducting certain rituals at the tombs of both Haimendorf and Elizabeth located on the outskirts of the settlement, as per customs of the tribals and playing traditional musical instruments. He later paid floral homage to the duo at their busts in the centre of the habitation.

The ethnic tribes including Raj Gonds, Kolams, Pradhans, Thotis, etc dwelling in various parts of erstwhile Adilabad district and neighbouring Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh made a beeline to the tiny habitation from early morning. They arrived at the village using different means of commutation including auto-rickshaws, motorcycles and trolleys. They were fed by the organisers.

The tribesmen recalled that extraordinary anthropological work had paved the way for introducing a slew of welfare measures for ethnic tribes. They hailed the couple for detailing the lifestyle, culture, and customs of the tribals with great precision. They remembered him for bringing out their rich culture and religious affairs to the external world through his research work.

Haimendorf had carried out the anthropological study of lifestyle, culture, and traditions of Adivasis inhabiting erstwhile Adilabad, by staying along with his wife at interior Marlawai during 1945 and 56. He was appointed by the then Nizam for finding out reasons for the unrest in tribal habitations following the martyrdom of Tribal legend Kumram Bheem at Jodeghat valley in Kerameri mandal in the 1940s.

Asifabad MLA Athram Sakku, Telangana Women Commission’s member Kumra Eshwari Bai, Padmashri award recipient Kanaka Raju, district libraries chairman Kanaka Yadav Rao, Collector Rahul Raj, Additional Collector Varun Reddy, ITDA PO Ankith Kumar, Agriculture market committee chairman Athram Bhagavanth Rao and many others were present.

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