Oral Literature and Memory: A Study of Tribal Folklore: Papers presented for “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (National Conference)

Abstract 5: Oral Literature and Memory: A Study of Tribal Folklore
Paper presented for “Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative” (National Conference) – New Delhi
ATHIKO KAISII
Centre for Culture, Media & Governance, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
KEYWORDS: FOLKLORE, INTERPRETATION, MEMORY, TRADITION, IDENTITY
Oral literature does not stress authorship but the focus is on interpretation. It is collectively owned by the community and every member has the right and authority to interpret and translate as per one’s ability and genius to the best to make it accurate and appropriate. Since the literature is not preserved/stored in the form of text and print, interpreting and translating from memory that has been handed down from generation to another is the only way to obtain accuracy. The interpretation is essentially based on memory as there is no written text to depend. Memory plays a significant role in unfolding and revealing the tribal literature. Looking back the memory is the source to resolve the differences while interpreting.
Folklore in the form of adages, sayings, riddles, dances, songs, festivals and feasts, agricultural practices, handicrafts, woodcrafts, carpentry works, yells, steps and cries, knowledge and skill of constructing house, terrace field, bridge, caring and nursing of sickness and diseases, believes, worldviews and cosmos or anything that one can name of constitute oral literature, which is passing and communicating through oral mode. So, folklore is anything that includes traditional art, literature, knowledge and practice, which are disseminated through oral and behavioural mode of everyday life. Every community and group possessed a shared tradition and culture, which is central to its identity that differentiates from those does not belonged to it, is the folklore of the community. The folklorist work’s merely reflects everyday life of the tribal community. The paper while intending to focus the understanding of literature from the broader perspective, will tries to investigate how memory unveiled and unfolded the body of tribal literature through folklore.
BIONOTE: Dr. Athikho Kaisii is currently employed as Assistant Professor at the Centre for Culture, Media & Governance, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He may be contacted at the email ID: akasmao@gmail.com

Source: Book of Abstracts for the ICSSR-sponsored Two-Day National Conference Tribes In Transition-II: Reaffirming Indigenous Identity Through Narrative organised by The Department of English & Outreach Programme Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi, 27-28 February 2017)

Courtesy: Convener Dr. Ivy Imogene Hansdak

Emerging globalized world is partly responsible for undervaluing the philosophy and traditions of the traditional community. This process led them to undergo cultural crisis and philosophical stigma. The outcome is the polarisation of human society and civilization into culture and uncultured, democratic and undemocratic, civilized and uncivilized, and so forth. It functions within the calculate strategy of the dominant ideologies so as to perpetuate hegemonic domination. The edited volume Tribal Philosophy and Culture: Mao Naga of North-East seeks to emphasize on relook the vitality of cultural practices and traditions to face the onslaught of this phenomenon. The study of oppositional yet phenomenal relationship of philosophy and culture will not only define the identity of a community but also may suggest alternative means when the world community at large is undergoing huge “value crisis.” While keeping this interacted liaison in mind, the edited volume, with articles from scholars across disciplines attempted to address certain topical issues from the insider perspective. The articles ranges from dwelling philosophical world of myths and narratives, social and political issues, media and education, women’s issues and their role in peace building, stretching to ecology and environmental issues. Overall, the book reflects the dynamic aspects of understanding and interpreting the cultural practices of the Mao community.
Athikho Kaisii (b. 1975) hailed from Charanghomei (Shajouba) has completed his doctorial degree in 2005 in the Centre for Study of Social systems, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. To his credit, he has published few articles in journals and in an edited volume. In the fast meditated age, issues concerning with justice, governance and youth are some of the areas of his interest. Presently, he is teaching as an Assistant Professor in the Centre for Culture, Media and Governance, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

Source: Publisher’s discription: “Tribal Philosophy and Culture: Mao Naga of North-East”, Mittal Publications
URL: https://mittalbooks.com/products/tribal-philosophy-and-culture
Date Visited: 23 June 2022

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