History
fromHigh Country News
15 hours agoWhat does 'time immemorial' really mean? - High Country News
Using 'time immemorial' signals Indigenous longevity without dates, but habitual use can feel clichéd and undermine journalistic credibility.
In the Malabar region of Kerala, India, an ancient Hindu ritual known as Theyyam exists in a continuum of ceremonial customs that date back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The practice carries on today through elaborate costumes and dances during which a performer wears sacred garments and invites a deity to enter their body as a way to seek blessings. Theyyam season, which typically runs from October to May, sees hundreds of performances around the region, with many concentrated in November and December.