Indigenous Knowledge in Transformation

Preface by the series editorsIn Memoriam – Ditamulü VasaPreface by the editorsINTRODUCTIONIndigenous Knowledge in transformation: Northeast IndiaTiatoshi Jamir, Johannes MüllerARCHITECTUREExploring traditional techniques of Ao Naga house architectureMepusangbaHouse on a rock: appreciating and acknowledging Rong architectureCharisma K. Lepcha, Rongnyoo LepchaECONOMIC ACTIVITIESMaterial functions of mineral clay soils in indigenous Naga metallurgyTiatemjen TzudirWomen and weaving: preservation of intangible cultural heritage in MizoramHmingthanzualiTraditional knowledge system of dyeing yarns associated with Meitei textilesPotshangbam Binodini DeviThe dying tradition of salt-making in ManipurRajkumari BarbinaSUBSISTENCEDhan kheti to Sanskriti: Indigenous Knowledge associated with rice in Northeast IndiaManjil HazarikaMaterial culture and technological perspective on procurement and consumption of wild rice in Manipur (India)Robinson Huidrom, Huidrom Suraj SinghIndigenous Knowledge associated with the harvest of the Asian Giant Hornet among the indigenous communities of Northeast IndiaFemi Ezhthupallickal Benny, Thejavikho Chase, Dharma Rajan PriyadarsananTraditional hunting and trapping methods and practices among the Ao tribes of NagalandYabangri Changkiri, †Ditamulü VasaMEDICINAL KNOWLEDGEAnimal and human relationships: traditional zoo-therapy practices among the Dimasa society of AssamTilok Thakuria, Atashi MaitraIndigenous Knowledge in Arunachal PradeshRoger BlenchGlimpses of traditional indigenous technology practices of Nagas in IndiaSapu ChangkijaCONSERVATION AND BELIEFSSacred groves and community protected forests in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India: a case study of few variants in Indigenous Knowledge PracticesHiambok J SyiemliehEcology in tradition: exploring the cultural context of the sacred groves in the Khasi-Jaintia hills of MeghalayaMarco MitriRelevance of the belief system of the Galo in conserving biodiversity in the Eastern HimalayasBomchak Riba‘Water’ (Twi/Toi) in the Indigenous Knowledge, culture and religious practices of TripuraJonomti Reang, Sukhendu DebbarmaCONCLUSIONConcluding remarks and future perspectivesTiatoshi Jamir, Johannes MüllerList of contributorsIn both archaeology and anthropology, the documentation of various techniques, economic interrelations, belief systems, and the handling and perception of the environment is of fundamental importance. In particular, knowledge of non-industrial contexts that do not conform to market-economic rules provides a source of information that can be crucial for shaping our world today. In many cases, the bearers of such knowledge are highly diverse societies that have not yet been fully integrated into the market economy. In Northeast India especially, we encounter numerous and, in some cases, very diverse communities that carry with them slowly vanishing knowledge of environmental interaction, specific craft techniques, nutritional strategies, or techniques for landscape conservation. Furthermore, various archaeological evidence exists which, when brought together, tells of the multifaceted and far-reaching history of human settlement in this region. Interestingly, these are areas with arguably the highest biodiversity and greatest linguistic diversity in the world. Both point to the existence of an immensely valuable resilience against developments that lead to a reduction in knowledge about sustainable interaction with nature and one’s own autonomy. These topics were highlighted in the workshop ‘Indigenous Knowledge in Transformation: Northeast India’ that brought together many scholars from Northeast India. Most of the papers from the workshop are published in this volume.