An article published in the Wildlife Trust of India website on Wednesday last week indicated that the Paliyan have become caregivers of grizzled giant squirrel babies which fall out of their nests in trees or become orphaned. They are called grizzled because of their whitish fur. According to the story,… Continue reading…
Although medicine and peacefulness are quite separate issues for most of the world, in some small-scale societies, such as the Paliyan, traditional healers and botanical preparations still help maintain physical, cultural, and social health. A detailed article describing the healing plants used in some Paliyan villages of Tamil Nadu, in… Continue reading…
The Paliyan, a peaceful society of southern India, sometimes practice pedogamy—marriage between adults and children. A recent journal article by Peter M. Gardner analyzing the practice, based on his field notes from the early 1960s and late 1970s, is freely available in PDF format on the Internet. Gardner begins by… Continue reading…
CommodityOnline.com, the source of a story about commercial pepper being grown by the Paliyans of Kerala State back in September, has run another piece that provides more information about the venture. CGH Earth, a Kerala firm that runs resorts in that state, started a subsidiary, Natural Harvest ( India) Pvt… Continue reading…
A Paliyan community in the Thekkady Forest of India’s Kerala State has gotten involved in a scheme to supply organic pepper to a new commercial venture. According to a news story last week, Natural Harvest (India) Pvt, Ltd, has organized the project. It employs 500 families from three different tribal… Continue reading…
News reports and reviews about some of the lesser known peaceful societies, such as the Paliyans, can be reassuring, even when they just discuss the enduring traditions of the people. Since news about some of the other peaceful societies is distressing at times, a positive journal article last year about… Continue reading…
When Peter Gardner first encountered some Paliyans, they were shy and friendly—but put off by his direct questioning. In order to relax the situation, he started quietly observing and taking notes. It worked. The Paliyans warmed up to him when they observed that he was trying to learn as their… Continue reading…
Shamanism is an active part of daily Paliyan life, according to a 1991 journal article by Peter M. Gardner that has just been added to the Archive of the Peaceful Societies website. Their gods, called samis, are frequently summoned to come into the villages to provide personal healing, advice about… Continue reading…
An exciting article by Peter M. Gardner about attitudes of respect—and actions of disrespect—in two different Paliyan communities has just been added to the Archive in this website. Gardner explores several themes in his 2000 journal article, including a comparison of the actual incidents of conflict and violence between the… Continue reading…
An exciting article by Peter M. Gardner about attitudes of respect—and actions of disrespect—in two different Paliyan communities has just been added to the Archive in this website. Gardner explores several themes in his 2000 journal article, including a comparison of the actual incidents of conflict and violence between the… Continue reading…
