Tribal Futures 2.0 Begins with Welcome Keynote by UNESCO Co-Chair Prof. Sona Jharia Minz

Tribal Design Forum has launched the second edition of its pioneering month-long celebration, Tribal Futures Fest 2.0  rapidly emerging as India's biggest online festival focused on tribal identity, knowledge systems, and creative expression.

Spanning 31 days of continuous programming, Tribal Futures 2.0 brings together artists, designers, scholars, and creative professionals from Indigenous and tribal communities across India and the world. These changemakers are reshaping contemporary narratives through their contributions to art, music, literature, food, design, film, and education.

Centering Tribal Epistemology and Indigenous Worldviews

At the heart of this festival lies the celebration of Tribal Epistemology — Indigenous knowledge systems rooted in oral traditions, community storytelling, lived experience, and sustainable practices. The program positions tribal imagination and authorship as not only relevant but essential to modern discourse. It challenges outdated stereotypes that see tribal communities as relics of the past.

The Tribal Festival is designed to inspire tribal youth to think critically, reflect on their identity, and imagine new futures grounded in their own cultural frameworks.

UNESCO Co-Chair Prof. Sona Jharia Minz Delivers Opening Address

The inaugural session featured a powerful keynote by Prof. Sona Jharia Minz, UNESCO Co-Chair and Professor of Computer Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). An expert in Artificial Intelligence and geospatial informatics, Prof. Minz is from the Oraon tribal community and has also served as Vice Chancellor of Sido Kanhu Murmu University.

In her address, she emphasized the global relevance of Indigenous knowledge systems, while also warning of threats posed by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change. Prof. Minz highlighted the importance of data sovereignty, data governance and the need for Indigenous Knowledge Research Governance.

She spoke passionately about “rematriation,” a framework for reclaiming and restoring Indigenous cultural and natural resources, and how tribal communities must actively participate in shaping technological futures.

Reimagining the Role of Tribal Youth

Tribal Futures Fest 2.0 is unlike any other tribal festival in India. While many events observe World Indigenous Day as a one-day cultural showcase, this initiative spreads the celebration across 31 days of deep, intellectual engagement. The festival is curated by tribal designers and thought leaders who believe that if tribal youth cannot imagine their future, they cannot build it.

This unique festival presents a vibrant, forward-looking vision of tribal creativity — one that is not just rooted in tradition but dynamically engaging with the future.

A Digital Celebration of Tribal Knowledge

Each day of India’s biggest online festival features interactive sessions live-streamed on YouTube, making these important conversations accessible across the globe. The full program schedule is available at www.tribaldesignforum.com.

The first day focused on:

• Traditional tribal knowledge systems

• Indigenous People's knowledge and Decolonisation.

• Ethical research governance

• The future impact of AI on Indigenous communities

• Data sovereignty and Framework

Landmark Appearance by Prof. Virginius Xaxa

In a landmark second session on Day 1, the festival welcomed Prof. Virginius Xaxa, Chairman of the historic Xaxa Committee (which reviewed the status of tribal communities in India). A pioneering sociologist and thought leader in tribal studies, Prof. Xaxa shared his deep insights on Tribal Epistemology and how it has been perceived—and often marginalized—within the Indian academic and policy landscape.

He discussed how Indigenous ways of knowing are often excluded from mainstream education and research, and emphasized the need to validate and elevate tribal knowledge within national discourse. His presence underscored the importance of including tribal voices in shaping India’s intellectual and cultural future.