Kuvi Calendar: Harnessing Indigenous Calendar for Language Revitalization

Indigenous people worldwide possess rich calendric knowledge deeply intertwined with their languages, heritage, and sustainable practices. However, many of these calendars exist in oral form, putting them at risk of extinction due to contemporary challenges. One of the most challenging areas is the native language. This paper explores the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for preserving and revitalizing an endangered Indigenous calendar and language. Focusing on the Dongaria Kondh community of Southern Odisha, which speaks an endangered language Kuvi, this study investigates the potential of AI to document and teach traditional calendar systems, thereby ensuring the transmission of cultural knowledge to future generations. By harnessing AI technologies for language preservation, transcription, and educational tools, this paper demonstrates that Indigenous calendars can thrive in the digital age, contributing to the cultural continuity of the Kuvi-speaking community.