Why in news?

• Aadi Mahotsav (National Tribal Festival) was celebrated on 17th August, 2019 in Leh-Ladakh.

Highlights:

• Aadi Mahotsav is a joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
• The theme of the festival is: “A celebration of the spirit of Tribal Craft, Culture and Commerce”.
• The event will see around 160 Tribal artisans from more than 20 states across the country, actively participating and showcasing their masterpieces.
• The product range will comprise of Tribal Textiles from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal; Tribal Jewellery from Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and North East; Tribal Paintings like Gond art from Madhya Pradesh, Warli art from Maharashtra; Metal craft from Chhattisgarh; Black pottery from Manipur, and  Naturals and Organic products from Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

Mahotsav will also cover to identify:

• Food and Forest Produces, which can be processed, value added and marketed under the Van Dhan Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Artisans and master craftsmen and women of Ladakh for empanelling them as suppliers of TRIBES India.

Showcasing Digital Skills of the Tribes:

• The Mahotsav apart from exotic handicrafts will also show case the electronic and digital skills of the tribals as a special attraction.
• In line with the national aspiration to go cashless, for the first time the tribal artisans will be accepting payment through major credit/debit cards for which Point of Sale (POS) machines are provided.
• The Mahotsav will display the rich digital commerce and e-commerce being promoted by Tribes India.
• TRIBES India proudly informs the signing of MOUs with Amazon, Snapdeal, Flipkart, PayTM and GEM, a Government of India Portal for e-commerce of the tribal products.
• TRIBES India has also has its own e-com portal tribesindia.com.

Ladakhi folk dances:

• The troupes will perform
  • Jabro Dance: a nomadic dance and song of people inhabiting eastern Ladakh.
  • Spawo dance: a heroic song and dance associated with a legendary hero of Himalayan region called K’sar.