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- In a groundbreaking event, the Tikhir tribe of Nagaland hosted its inaugural Log Drum Pulling Ceremony on the third day of the ongoing 25th Hornbill Festival 2024.
- About the Tikhir Tribe:
- The Tikhir tribe is one of the indigenous Naga tribes native to Nagaland in northeastern India, with some members residing across the border in Myanmar. They speak Naga Yimchungru, a language belonging to the Tibeto-Burman language family, similar to many other Naga languages.
- Historically, the Tikhir were headhunters, and a man's status was often measured by the number of enemies he had killed. Their traditional livelihoods include agriculture and hunting. As a smaller tribe in Nagaland, the Tikhir have often faced challenges from larger tribes.
- Beliefs and Traditions:
- With the arrival of Christian missionaries in Nagaland, the majority of the Tikhir tribe converted to Christianity, although many continue to incorporate elements of their traditional folk religion into their Christian practices. One of the tribe’s most significant cultural events is the "Tsonglaknyi," the primary Tikhir festival, which is celebrated annually from October 9th to 12th. This festival is centered around the sanctification of shields, a key symbol in Tikhir traditions.
- The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Office of Science & Innovation at the Embassy of Sweden, is proud to announce the successful conclusion of SheSTEM 2024.
- About SheSTEM 2024:
- SheSTEM is an annual initiative organized by Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Office of Science and Innovation at the Embassy of Sweden. The event celebrates the remarkable contributions of women in STEM fields and aims to inspire the next generation of innovators by motivating young minds to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
- The SheSTEM 2024 challenge called upon students from grades 6–12 across India to submit innovative ideas focusing on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems. Part of the India-Nordic BEST project, the challenge encourages sustainable solutions by advancing energy technologies.
- Participants were asked to present their prototypes or concepts for energy storage and sustainability in a two-minute video. The competition saw an overwhelming response, with over 1,000 submissions showcasing the creativity, problem-solving abilities, and innovative thinking of young students across the country.
- SheSTEM 2024 provided an excellent platform for students to engage with critical STEM topics and contribute to global sustainability efforts.
- Researchers have recently identified a new species of ancient humans, named Homo juluensis, which translates to "big head," based partly on a notably large skull discovered in China.
- About Homo juluensis:
- Homo juluensis is a newly recognized species of ancient humans characterized by distinctively large skulls. This species, referred to as the "big head people," existed around 300,000 years ago and lived in small groups across eastern Asia before disappearing approximately 50,000 years ago.
- The species shares some traits with enigmatic groups like the Denisovans, ancient human relatives whose history is still being explored. Fossils attributed to H. juluensis, mostly consisting of facial and jaw remains, reveal dental characteristics similar to those of Neanderthals.
- Initial analysis suggests that their braincases were up to 30% larger than those of Homo sapiens. The species hunted wild horses in small groups, crafted stone tools, and likely processed animal hides to aid in their survival.