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Day 16 Part III The Latest Week In Ranchi

2/7/2016

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After first few days of some big celebrations, always accompanied by song, dance, and drums, we were able to dig deeper in our understanding of the Adivasi culture. Adivasis prefer this term over tribal, or forest dwellers because they are aware of their long history and connection to their ethnic roots. Adivasis can identify themselves as of the Sarna religion(their original religion) or Hinduism or Christianity. Among the Christians there are various factions. The need to reconcile differences and unify as a people continues to be important for their survival and progress.

Learning that there is a stronge awareness of their history, which includes our anscestors has been a great honor. We've come to gain a profound respect for each other.
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For instance Paracleta Minz here shows me her grandfather who told her about working side by side with my great great grandfather, Ferdinand Hahn.
Then going to Purulia and seeing the house still standing where Ferdinand and Doris lived, and their oldest daughter came to visit to give birth to Grete, Wolfram's mother at the beginning of the 20th century. There also we learned more about the work they did among the lepers and what developments occured after they left.
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    Mary Girard

    I will be traveling and visiting India, with my Father. Our primary destination in India is Ranchi, Jharkhand. We will also visit other towns and cities in that north-eastern region as well as other places in India.

    Ranchi is the first place where our ancestors lived. When they went to India.  They had been there from 1868 - 1915. They were the first generation that we know of that connected us to India. This visit will connect us with the Christians who live there who are the beneficiaries of that early missionary work.

    My father and I will be joined by others,including my father's cousin, Wolfram Peetz. He is looking forward to see Purulia where his mother was born.

    I am still seeking funding to help with some of the costs related to research. The research is for a historical novel I am writing based on the lives of these anscestors.
    GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/ymbz6c

    Check out some of my sample writing.
    Click Here

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