The International Indigenous People's (Adivasi) Day - Fr. Xavier Manjooran SJ.

Dear Adivasi friends and friends of Adivasis,

 9th August was declared the International Indigenous People's (Adivasi) Day by the United Nations in 1994

 12 October was celebrated in America as "Columbus Day" to commemorate the so called "discovery of America" by Columbus. In fact this so called "discovery" had caused great injustice to the original inhabitants of America. They were subjugated, killed and pushed out of their own land and made slaves. So the indigenous people and those who understood the real situation objected to the celebration of "Columbus day". They started celebrating "Anti Columbus Day" which was later (in 1992) termed as "INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY".

2 YEARS AFTER THIS EVENT, THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARED IN 1994, AUGUST 9 AS THE INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY (ADIVASI DAY).

There is a misunderstanding, propagated and spread by some people, either knowingly or unknowingly, that the logo of the indigenous people (Symbol of Adivasi ) is a LEFT FOOT..

So even if any body accepts foot as the symbol, the adivasis will not accept it as their symbol. Some people say it was the symbol adopted by UN when it announced 9 August as the international Indigenous day.This was surely not the case. There must be some mix up or wrong understanding in this matter. If you search all over the net and all the portals you will NOT FIND anywhere even a mention of the LEFT FOOT AS ADIVASI (INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S) SYMBOL. 

Adivasi are noble people, people of nature. They do not fall in any caste system. And hierarchical discriminations were not part of their culture. (Now unfortunately this attitude has got into adivasi communities also) .Let us not add "THE FOOT" also and aggravate the matter and insult adivasi community.

I am enclosing the actual and official symbol for adivasis (indigenous people) declared and adapted by UN indigenous peoples forum. In fact the art work was done by Mr. Rebang Dewan, a Chakma boy, of Bangladesh. Communicate to people and spread the right information and idea about Adivasis and Adivasi day.

HAPPY ADIVASI DAY.......... JAI ADIVASI.........JAGO ADIVASI........FEEL PROUD OF BEING AN ADIVASI......

with best wishes and in SOLIDARITY,

Xavier Manjooran,SJ