Kerala: Students get a taste of days bygone

Thiruvananthapuram: The students of Government Tribal High School, Meenankal, on the outskirts of the city had a glimpse into the folklore and the instruments associated with it during an exhibition held in the school on August 22 when a Folklore Day was also observed.  

The interesting items on display included  chakkimukki,  a device   used by Kanni tribes to create fire in the past,  petromax, ‘Randal’ light, traditional iron box and bow and arrow.

The function  was inaugurated by tribal medicine expert Kallar Mottammoodu Mallan Kanni, who gave a detailed presentation on over 50 medicinal herbs used by adivasis for treatment. He explained how place names are associated with herbs and said the name Nedumangad was derived from the forest tuber Neduman and  Parandode  from the herb Paranda. School leader Mansa and Mr Kanni declared Arogya Pacha, a plant for which the Kanni tribe has patent,  as the official herb of the school.