26 • Celebrating Bodo Heritage through Toys • Kirat Brahma

Kirat Brahma, an accomplished animator and designer, will present a 30-minute online talk on his venture Zankla Toys, which brings Bodo cultural stories and characters to life through fabric-based toys. In this session, Brahma will discuss how Zankla Toys collaborates with local women artisans to co-create these unique toys, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design. He will share insights into the creative process, from conceptualizing characters rooted in Bodo folklore to transforming them into handcrafted toys. Brahma will also highlight the broader impact of this venture, emphasizing its role in reviving the local economy by providing sustainable employment opportunities for artisans. The presentation will conclude with a 30-minute Q&A session, where the audience can engage with Brahma on the themes of cultural preservation, sustainable design, and the empowerment of local communities through creative enterprise.

Event Details
  • Start Date
    August 26, 2024 7:30 pm
  • Location
  • Category
  • Tribe

    Bodo

animator & social entrepreneur
Rangapani, Assam

The Bodo tribe, also known as the Boro, is an ethnolinguistic group indigenous to the state of Assam in northeastern India. As a significant part of the greater Bodo-Kachari family, the Bodos are spread across northeastern India, with a substantial presence in Assam and parts of Meghalaya, as well as in neighboring Bangladesh. Traditionally, the Bodos practiced Bathouism, worshiping the supreme god Obonglaoree, symbolized by the shijou tree. Historically, they were shifting cultivators but have now settled as farmers, primarily in the northern areas of the Brahmaputra River valley. The Bodos possess a rich cultural and social heritage, with their own distinct language, traditions, and religious practices. Their close connection with nature and the forests around them is deeply reflected in their socio-cultural and religious life, making them an integral part of Assam's diverse ethnic tapestry.

Event Details
  • Start Date
    August 26, 2024 7:30 pm
  • Location
  • Category
  • Tribe

    Bodo