Traditional Livelihood & Food Sovereignty Among Pahadi Korwa of Chhattisgarh
The Existing article explores the knotty relationship between livelihood and Food sovereignty among Pahadi Korwa People. Pahadi Korwa is Particularly Venerable Tribal Group along with Munda ethnicity residing in Chhattisgarh. Being rooted in forest eco system, the economy of the Korwa community rotate around the hunting & gathering of forest produces, sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry. The present study aims to highlight how traditions and culinary practices of the korwa people ensure nourishment but also reinforce the food sovereignty of the community.
The concept of Food Sovereignty refers to the rights of specific group of people to define their own cuisine or food systems prioritizing culturally appropriate food production, distribution and consumption. Using the framework of Social Appetite developed by Williams & Germov, including the Focus Group Discussion and qualitative ethnographic interviews, the study documents the role of traditional culinary and ecological practices dietary diverseness and resilience. The findings highlight the complex relationship between traditional cultural practices, natural resource management and food sovereignty of the Pahadi korwa community. Though Korwa people face major threats due to deforestation, land alienation and invasion of market based food systems, which have disturbed their food sovereignty. Govt. policy framing and programs intended to improve their livelihood according to the needs of the community but the result is not satisfactory. The research underlines the importance of integrating indigenous practices in to development frameworks to ensure the sustainable livelihood. The research contributes to shape the discourse over the tribal food sovereignty by emphasising the role of traditional knowledge and community autonomy.
Key Words: - Food Sovereignty, Livelihood, Pahadi Korwa, Social Appetite