GUWAHATI, April 11 – Traditional institutions in the North-East are surviving the onslaught of time and evolving into a major vehicle for building peace and development, reports PTI. Despite the impact of modernisation and technology, the communities in the North East have retained their old systems and institutions embracing both the old and new elements while at the same time co-existing and remaining functional, say experts.
“I have never seen such transformation of people in such a short time – from almost a Neolithic cultural setting propelling into the modern times without facing any serious cultural crisis,” says noted anthropologist and former Vice Chancellor Prof A C Bhagwati. He pointed out that even though modern influences such as emerging consumerist cultures swept through these small-scale societies, their age old traditions and institutions have by and large remained intact.
Unlike in other areas, particularly the West, where the new replaced the old, in the North-East these institutions not only survived the onslaught of time but also continue to serve the community, he says. Bhagwati cites the examples of well-developed wet-rice farming systems perfected by the Apatani tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, which reflects the tribe’s traditional knowledge of land management that sustained generations and the community’s ability to mobilise both men and material support whenever it is struck by any crisis.
“The self-organising ability of the community can be easily harnessed for developing rural areas,” he says. Natwar Thakkar, a Padma Shri recepient and noted Gandhian social worker who has worked in Nagaland for several decades, points out that the Morungs, the institutions for the youth, were grooming grounds for them in warfare, tradition, history, social ceremonies and songs and dances.
Under the strict supervision of the seniors, the youths learn the art of warfare and food production on the hill slopes in the Morungs. Thakkar points out that even though most of the Naga institutions of village governance are still intact, the corrosive forces of modern time are gradually weakening many of these similar tribal institutions all over the region but all effort must be made to preserve them.
There is, however, a positive trend as traditional institutions and their wisdom are being invoked to address more complex issues such as ethnic conflict, protection of environment and conservation of bio-diversity. The traditional tribal institutions can be creatively used to rebuild society or address any problem it faces and in the case of the Nagas, individual tribal council or the Hoho plays a very significant role in dealing with any matter, says noted Naga thinker Niketu Iralu. The new association of the tribal councils, now known as the Naga Hoho, a conglomeration of all Hohos representing individual tribes, is an example of how tribes are trying to use their traditional institutions and symbols for modern conflict management.
“The Hoho began just as a process to facilitate reconciliation among the Nagas and build a consensus among the various factions while seeking a honourable solution to the Naga problem,” he adds. Besides, conflict resolutions, the traditional institutions are seen also a key vehicle for community development empowering these bodies to manage local resources and infrastructure such as education, health care etc.
Traditional institutions have travelled a long way from a pre-literate and pre-colonial past to a present era of money markets and globalisation and they are still alive, says Dr David R Syiemlieh of the North-East Hills University (NEHU).
“We are trying to revisit and understand them because though they appear outdated and obsolete yet they continue to function not always in the desired form but nonetheless with societal support for both their usefulness and their social control,” he adds.