Back to our roots: Did you know about these fascinating origin stories from India?

The walking tree. Illustration courtesy/Athulya Pillai

1 The walking tree: AN origin story from the Nicobar Islands indicates that before people became ruthless towards forests, trees could walk and talk. While trees can't walk, having developed complex networks of roots over the years, there is one species which gives the illusion of movement: the walking palm tree in Central America. It has a unique root system where new roots grow in the direction of sunlight, and the old ones wither away. The tree actually does not move away from its spot.

2 The victory dance: Monsang people are among the many Naga tribes settled in northeast India. Their origin story suggests that their leader Thungpungpa brought his people out of the cave, the ‘khor', to the upper world, after fighting a tiger.

The victory dance. Illustration Courtesy/Damini Gupta

To celebrate, the tribe moves to the rhythms of a drum and performs Rhimpuw Laam, a dance depicting their hero's victory. Archaeological discoveries indicate that humans left caves when they took up agriculture, building cane and bamboo homes.

3 The date of India: Tamarind gets its name from the Persian phrase Tamar-i-Hind, the date of India, and has been cultivated in India for years. For some tribes of Odisha, gathering and selling it is their source of livelihood.

The date of India. Illustration Courtesy/Damini Gupta

In fact, the Jhodias of the Paroja tribe has an interesting origin story. It depicts a hill god turning prawns into tamarind. The Jhodias delight in good meals comprising seafood, and tamarind forms an important part of it, adding flavour to the dish.

4 Now, bat's a mystery! Scientists and palaeontologists are on a mission to investigate which ancient species the bats have evolved from. Their beady eyes and pointed ears are like a rat's.

Now, bat's a mystery!. Illustration Courtesy/Damini Gupta

The Bhutias, nomads from Tibet, living in the Himalayan region of Sikkim, consider it a bird. They're known as Pha Wangs in the Tibetan language. They can be found in Sikkim, alongside the Himalayan tahr and the blood pheasant, the state bird. Bat is the only mammal in the world that can fly.

5 Of spirits and sorcery: The Baiga people, living in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, believe in healing and magical powers, with their first ancestor, Nanga Baiga, bringing this gift to them.

Of spirits and sorcery. Illustration courtesy/Athulya Pillai; Pics Courtesy/Hachette India

He wears a loincloth and a turban. The tribe has two "highly respected magicians" to whom such powers of protection have been passed down. The dewar keeps all negative energies and disasters away, while the gunia heals the tribe from illnesses.

Nalini Ramachandran

Bonus: The desert walker
According to the story of the Rabaris of Gujarat and Rajasthan, camels lived in icy regions. Historically, their fossils have been found in the Canadian Arctic region. Later, their legs adapted to sand, and they developed a hump as they migrated to the desert.

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