Kohima: Academics gathered at Tetso College to demand a shift in how history is recorded. The two-day seminar, sponsored by the Indian Council of Historical Research, focused on saving dying traditions. Indigenous wisdom matters. Speakers argued that these practices are not relics but active solutions for modern social and environmental crises.
Amarjiva Lochan of the University of Delhi pushed researchers to record folklore and medicinal secrets before they vanish forever. He pointed to the pandemic as proof of their worth. During his keynote, he noted, "indigenous healing practices continue to hold value." He urged scholars to prioritize these oral narratives over external historical accounts.
Tetso College principal Hewasa L Khing pushed participants to decolonize history. She showcased the Northeast India Indigenous People’s Archive as a digital hub for community memories. This work guards against the loss of culture in a rapidly changing world.
Alino Sumi of Flinders University warned that academic research often ignores local voices. She argued that communities must own their stories. Knowledge flows through daily life, not just books. The event featured dozens of presentations on everything from traditional architecture to jhum cultivation. Experts concluded the sessions by demanding ethical research that directly benefits the communities involved.
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