The Department of English, Nagaland University (NU), Kohima Campus, Meriema, organised a two-day national seminar on “Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Artistic Traditions in Northeast India: Literature, Culture and Community Wisdom” from 15 to 16 September.
The seminar brought together scholars, writers, artists, research scholars and students to discuss indigenous knowledge, cultural traditions and community wisdom in the Northeast.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Kohima Campus, Prof. N. Venuh, highlighted the importance of indigenous knowledge for young scholars and the challenges of translating indigenous concepts such as “Kenyü” into English. NU Vice-Chancellor Prof. J.K. Patnaik stressed the need to recover, preserve and recognise indigenous traditions passed down through generations.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr I. Anungla Aier, former Director of Higher Education, Nagaland. She identified Indigenous Knowledge, Folklore and Cultural Identity as three interconnected pillars of community life, describing folklore as the framework and indigenous knowledge as its substance.
The plenary session featured Prof. Pradeep Kumar Patra of Bodoland University and Prof. Robin S. Ngangom, retired professor, NEHU. Ngangom highlighted the responsibility of poets to engage with political violence, social trauma and everyday realities in the Northeast, referring to such writing as “poetry of witness”.
A panel discussion on the second day featured Patra, Dr Doyir Ete of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, and tribal arts practitioner Lepden Jamir. Ete called for indigenous-centred approaches and a more inclusive literary canon, while Jamir highlighted the relationship between indigenous craftsmanship, nature and cultural identity.
Technical sessions covered folklore, oral traditions, cultural memory, traditional medicine, rituals, performing arts, translation and tribal literature. The seminar concluded with a valedictory session and certificate distribution.
