Commoning around us
Recognise that commoning is already part of everyday life.
Commoning is not something that belongs to the past—it is happening all around us, much closer to home. It lives in the ways we share, care, create and come together—in our kitchens, neighbourhoods, markets, farms, songs and everyday rituals.
“Commoning is the social practice behind the commons: people sharing access, responsibility, knowledge, and care in ways that keep collective life possible.
Market Memory
A stroll through the local market reveals items once accessible to all — imli, drumsticks, soppus greens, tulsi and curry leaves, and seasonal delights like sitaphal, jamun and ber — shared and enjoyed communally for generations.
The Shared Catch
Fish, hares, partridges and quails were once procured through collective effort — communities sharing the responsibility of acquiring and distributing these resources, fostering interconnectedness.
Barter and Belonging
Barter — exchanging produce and services — cemented social networks and carried knowledge and cultural exchange. Grains for labour, or a meal for a helping hand, are examples with a long-standing existence.
Labour in Season
In rural landscapes, communities come together during critical farming seasons, contributing their labour collectively for ploughing, sowing and harvesting.
Seeds as Living Commons
Seeds, as bio-cultural commons, are one of the oldest forms of commoning — exchanged and preserved across generations to sustain biodiversity and ensure food security.
Everyday Reciprocity
Offering a ride, giving directions, borrowing curd, or minding a neighbour's child — daily acts of reciprocity, and folklore, songs and dances, woven through our social fabric.
Food, Feasts, and Memory
Weddings and festivals unite communities to prepare and distribute meals — from fermented bamboo shoots of the North-East to garlic kheer of the North — recipes handed down as shared knowledge.
Mutual Aid in Hard Times
Community-based relief — sharing ration and resources during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and floods — shows commoning very much alive in hard times.
While all this may seem like a fleeting memory of days gone by, a closer look around us might just reveal that some of these practices are very much alive — very much a part of our lives and lifestyles. As we navigate modern life, it is essential to recognise and celebrate this enduring spirit of commoning, and foster collective responsibility, sustainability and shared well-being for present and future generations.
Hundreds of verified field stories from across India, on Commons Stories — part of the Commons Platform.