Marmara
🌳 Marmara: Where Trees Echo Stories of Survival and Resistance
At Marmara, we believe in the transformative power of sitting around a tree. This isn’t just about nature; it’s about creating a sanctuary for dialogue, empathy, and shared strength. Imagine ancient, sacred trees becoming hubs of empowerment, where communities gather to address the pressing issues of violence against women, children, dalits, tribes, the homeless, and the dispossessed.
Marmara, derived from the Kannada term for “tree,” encapsulates the murmurs beneath the trees – whispers that break new ground, forming the basis for “Little India” gatherings across Karnataka. What starts as a murmur may one day grow into a collective hubbub, challenging established norms and narratives.
Marmara is not just an initiative; it’s a commitment to creating public and political spaces that defy universal narratives. We delve into local knowledge, challenge uniform stories, and listen to alternative dreams. From the wisdom etched on our skins to the barks of trees, Marmara is a celebration of diversity and resilience.
Since 2014, over a hundred Marmaras have been organized, providing platforms for the marginalized to share their stories. Marmara actively seeks to validate memories, legitimize stories, and amplify the voices of those without a name, face, or voice – the rightless peoples.
As we continue to gather around trees, sipping tea, Marmara is on a quest for new concepts and innovative pathways to justice. It’s about challenging systems of profit, privilege, and patriarchy, fostering circles of care and compassion that empower the powerless to speak truths to each other.
Marmara is creating spaces to recognize the diversity
of all those who have been marginalized
to validate our memory, legitimize our stories
for all those without a name, without a face
without a voice
for the rightless peoples all over.
Marmara, by gathering around trees,
the powerless are also speaking truths to each other, to the powerless
creating circles of care, of compassion
challenging master’s houses of profit, of privilege, of patriarchy
Marmara is seeking new concepts, new ways to justice!
As we continue to sit around trees, sipping tea.