Majuli Island: How residents are preserving old culture and traditions amidst natural disasters

2016-02-23 18

Majuli Island in Assam is one of the largest river islands in the world. Situated in the middle of the Brahamputra river, it has come under spotlight for being the largest island that is fast disappearing, although these claims are contentious.

The island is gorgeous with sparse forests, bamboo groves and beels or lake like wetlands.

The island has many Sattras or monasteries built through the 15th-17th centuries. Here devotees learn dance, songs, scriptures and yoga.

The Sattras also teach one of India’s eight classical dance forms called the Sattriya Nritya. The island is home to a mix of people, the Mishing tribe being the largest tribe on the island.

Each year the Brahmaputra river floods the island, creating havoc in the lives of its people. People have lost homes over and over again. Yet, each year they determinedly live on the island they call home.

Video by: Raj K. Raj
Produced by: Manas Gurung

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