Tata Steel Foundation Initiative Brings Together 7 Tribes from Jharkhand and Meghalaya in a Vibrant Marketplace
The much-anticipated May 2024 edition of Johar Haat, an initiative by the Tata Steel Foundation, commenced today at Prakriti Vihar in Kadma, Jamshedpur, offering visitors a captivating experience of artisanal craftsmanship and traditional creativity.
JAMSHEDPUR – Johar Haat, a flagship initiative of the Tata Steel Foundation, has once again brought together a diverse array of artisans and craftspeople from across Jharkhand and Meghalaya for its May 2024 edition.
The event, themed “Handicraft Meadow,” promises to be a vibrant celebration of traditional skills and innovative artistry, set amidst the lush greenery of Prakriti Vihar in Kadma, Jamshedpur.
The organizers have curated a wide range of workshops and activities to engage visitors, including sessions on cane craft making and jute keychain creation, providing an opportunity for attendees to learn directly from skilled artisans.
This edition of Johar Haat showcases the rich cultural heritage of seven tribal communities from Jharkhand and Meghalaya, namely the Kharwar, Kashi, Ho, Jaintia, Bhumij, Munda, and Santhal tribes, represented by a total of 21 participants.
The tribal cuisine section promises to be a highlight of the event, offering a selection of delicacies designed to help visitors “beat the heat” of the summer season.
Visitors can explore a diverse array of handcrafted products, ranging from intricate wood carvings and tribal paintings by the Bhumij tribe of Jharkhand to exquisite dry flower arrangements by artisans from the Kashi tribe of Meghalaya.
The event features eight unique stalls, each showcasing the distinctive crafts and products of the participating tribes, such as jute crafts by the Santhal community, resin and bead jewelry by Ho artisans, forest-grown organic products from the Munda tribe, and skillfully crafted cane and bamboo items by the Jaintia people of Meghalaya.
In addition to the handicrafts, visitors can also explore the wisdom and traditional knowledge of tribal healers from the Santhal and Kharwar communities, represented by the National Tribal Traditional Healers Association of India.
The Johar Haat initiative aims to provide a platform for artisans to showcase their skills, promote their products, and connect with a wider audience, fostering the preservation and promotion of traditional crafts and cultural heritage.
List of stalls:
| Stall List | ||||
| Sl.No. | Organization Name | Tribe | State | Craft/Food/Healers |
| 1 | Pragati Udyog Mahila Samiti | Bhumij | Jharkhand | Wood craft and Tribal Paintings |
| 2 | Shilong Dry Flowers | Kashi | Meghalaya | Dry Flowers |
| 3 | Tirla Gawta Ajivika sakhi Mandal | Santhal | Jharkhand | Jute Craft |
| 4 | Sunita’s Creation | Ho | Jharkhand | Resin & Bead Jewelry |
| 5 | Tribal Venue | Munda | Jharkhand | Forest Grown Organic Products |
| 6 | Bamon Handicrafts | Jaintia | Meghalaya | Cane & Bamboo Craft |
| 7 | Sagun Mahila Samiti | Santhal | Jharkhand | Jharkhand Cuisine |
| 8 | National Tribal Traditional Healers Association of India | Santhal &Kharwar | Jharkhand | Tribal Healers |
