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Dive into a vibrant celebration of culture, ecology, and cuisine at at Keystone Foundation.
Join conversations with esteemed experts like Yon Fernandez de Larrinoa, FAO's Indigenous Peoples Team Leader and Agricultural Economist, who will illuminate critical indigenous ecological and agricultural topics. Relish the intricate dance of bees, honey, and pollinators, a cornerstone of our natural world.
Savour an exquisite array of indigenous foods, crafted from local, seasonal, and wild ingredients sourced from the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve at lunch.
Explore heritage rice and millets, gain insights into regenerative gardening, and become immersed in Nilgiri indigenous music and dances. Wander through local stalls displaying unique indigenous arts, crafts, and produce, and relish the offerings of local cafes showcasing their specialty dishes.
An array of diverse experiences awaits you in this celebration of tradition and sustainability.
Free entry with registration, opening doors to a day filled with learning, taste, and cultural immersion.
Arrival, registration, and welcome address.
Yon Fernandez de Larrinoa, Team Leader of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Team and Agricultural Economist, our guest of honour and keynote speaker who is visiting us all the way from Spain, will touch down upon topics of entitlements, food security and climate change. This will be followed by Q&A.
Over at the outdoor "Nilgiri Honey Bar", Dr. Nicola Bradbear, Director of Bees for Development, UK, will present the segment about the importance of bees and pollinators in a climate-changed world – in conversation with Robert Leo, the expert on bees and former Director of Keystone Foundation. During this time, Dr. Nicola Bradbear and Robert Leo will share their thoughts and expertise on Nature-based Beekeeping, beekeepers and pollination issues.
There will be an exhibition of bee products, sacred items of beekeeping and honey hunting used by the indigenous communities, and photographs of indigenous honey collecting practices. A free honey tasting follows.
A range of exquisite Nilgiri honeys will be available for purchase.
Lunch break and time to explore the stalls featuring local artistry, cafe menus, produce and more, across the Keystone's sprawling, peaceful campus.
Enjoy a season-specific, vibrant, vast spread of an Indigenous lunch (veg and non-veg) made by the Kurumba and Irula community members on campus with seasonal and wild foods from across the NBR procured specially for the event.
A special note:
This lunch involves procurement of seasonal, wild and often-sensitive produce from across the Nilgiris. Knowing the quantities of produce required to cook the meal in advance is crucial for the community members who travel from remote areas to cook for you. Please pre-book this lunch if you would like to experience this truly authentic, one-of-a-kind, quintessentially Nilgiris indigenous food spread.
Prebook your vibrant indigenous Nilgiri plate here
The repertoire at the Habba is specially curated for The Nilgiris Earth Food Festival 2023 and comprises of a combination of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
At Keystone Cafeteria
Talk, demo, and tasting by Devi Lakshmikutty, Founder of Biobasics.
Link to register and ticket here
Link to register and ticket here
Tea and Coffee
Kota dance program.
Stalls close.
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