The Asufii Christian Institute (ACI) and the University of California, Santa Cruz recently hosted a two-day program titled “Lithic Worlds: Indigenous Ecology and Pedagogy” at Makhel Village. The event, held on August 3-4, 2024, was organized by a team including anthropologist Dolly Kikon from UC Santa Cruz, geologist Neivikhotso Chaya from Gauhati University, sociologist Daili Neli, and political scientist Kaini Lokho from ACI.
The program focused on the Indigenous people’s spirit of endurance, highlighting how the deep histories of land, geology, and time at Makhel Village are intertwined through salt, stories, and spirits. The event commenced with a traditional blessing by the chief of Makhel Village, S Pfokreni, and was followed by a welcome address from Mr Loli Kape, chairman of the Makhel Village Council. The Women’s Society of the village presented a special performance.
Highlights of the event included an art exhibition titled ”Old Ocean in the Eastern Himalayas” and a fieldwork trip exploring the village’s heritage sites. The exhibition and field activities engaged local residents, students, faculty from ACI, and members of the village council. The aim was to underscore the significance of Indigenous identity and celebrate the rich ties to the environment, ecology, and culture. The gathering of elders, students, cultural groups, and researchers reiterated their commitment to preserving these connections to foster a sustainable future. The exhibition explored the intersection of geological history with cultural relations in the Naga homeland.
Lithic Worlds is a research initiative aimed at reflecting on and engaging with Indigenous wisdom and life worlds. It combines ethnography, oral traditions, and geological knowledge. Updates and information about the initiative are available on the Instagram page @lithicworlds.