Narrating Landscapes in Folklore and Indigenous Oral Traditions

2nd International Karbi Winter Workshop underway

Diphu, January 16 (MExN): The 2nd International Karbi Winter Workshop- “Place in Stories, Stories in Place: Narrating Landscapes in Folklore and Indigenous Oral Traditions” began on January 16 at Jirsong Asong, Diphu, Karbi Anglong.

Organised by the Centre for Karbi Studies (CKS) and the Department of Estonian and Comparative Folklore, University of Tartu, in collaboration with the Centre for Oriental Studies, (University of Tartu), this set of talks and presentations aims to bring students and scholars into the dense belief-environment of Diphu, Karbi Anglong, stated a press release received here. 

Delivering the opening lecture on ‘Colonial Texts and Beyond,’ Dharamsing Teron, Director of Centre for Karbi Studies (CKS) challenged upcoming academics and writers to be assertive in questioning mainstream narratives of the Karbi community. 

Tracing the historical representation of the Karbi people in text and other mediums by colonial administrators, Christian missionaries and mainstream writers from the mainland, Teron noted that there is a connecting thread between these narratives, which has resulted in misrepresentations and stereotyping of the Karbi people. He opined that the Karbi presence in academia is still lacking and that there is a need to re-assess these perspectives and produce writings that emerge from the Karbi perspective.

The session commenced with an ancestor veneration ritual by Bilison Terang, and speeches by Guest of Honour- Richard Tokbi, Executive Member of Education Department, KAAC, Elwin Teron, Chief Advisor, KAAC, Karbi Anglong, and former MLA Dr Tuliram Ronghang. A book authored by Dr Maggie Katharpi titled ‘Rongmarjong’ was also launched with an introduction by Dharamsing Teron. 

This winter workshop which will culminate on January 17 will focus on the centrality of place. Place as a critical concept has the capability to generate multiple narratives, not all of which have an equal status. Storied places assume relevance in context of local histories and religious contexts. Plenary speakers for the event are Mayako Murai from the Kanagawa University who will speak about a reorientation of the “animal tales” category from the point of view of multi– species relationships. 

Maggie Katharpi from Diphu Government College will speak about Karbi beliefs and narratives pertaining to the folklore of water. 

The Director of the Centre for Karbi Studies, Dharamsing Teron will deliver the opening lecture where he will discuss historical misrepresentations of Karbis in colonial and other documents. 

A highlight of this workshop includes a roundtable discussion on the viability of the folkloristic perspective on an “indigenous (religious) research method.”