21st Jan 2018 09:01:PM State
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Anthropologist calls for preserving Nyishi indigenous knowledge

NIRJULI, Jan 21: Fast changing present life vis-a-vis transitional culture calls for preserving Nyishi indigenous knowledge enriched with rich history, said Dr Alex Aisher, anthropologist at University of Sussex, UK.

"You have very special history, unique traditions and cultures enliven with environmental gospel even today," he said while addressing the first general conference of Nyishi Festival Committee (NFC) as guest of honour in Nyikum Nyia Hall here on Saturday.

"Choice is yours," he said and quoted a Nyishi gentleman telling him that they have no written history except oral. It is high time for the Nyishis to have their own Rig Veda like the Hindus for their knowledge to benefit the humanity, the scholar emphatically said.

"We always look at nature form our view point and necessities, but many things would be clear if we try to introspect the ecology from nature's angle", he said while explaining the meaning of perspectivism.

Interestingly, Dr Alex on a research mission in India met Prof Nikhilesh Kumar at NEHU, Shillong in 2001 and coincidentally NFC secretary Amit Bengia was doing research under him. Amit during interaction while explaining about the Nyishis, the largest among the numerous indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh, had suggested working on Nyishis as no tangible research was conducted on the tribe till then.

The Nyishi Elite Society (NES) pitched in with support and obtained a research visa. This had facilitated his journey in 2002 to the unknown land walking on foot escorted by former minister Kahfa Bengia, Amit and other local assistants to Koloriang, Menge, Sarli and Parsi-Parlo.

NES president Bengia Tolum as chief guest expressed concern that materialism was impacting socio-cultural identity of the Nyishis as the tribe living in isolation was ignorant of the outside world. When still oral history, many cultural and traditional aspects are alive, the intellectuals should work to document to protect and preserve them.

Appreciating Dr Alex for his invaluable service, he asked NFC to consider granting scholarship for preparing document while cultural experts should deliver lectures for the GenNext to learn.

Applauding Dr Alex for these strenuous efforts to enliven age-old history of the Nyishis, NFC chairman Tarin Dakpe said that his unique endeavour included linking the Nyihis with the global community. 

Informing about golden jubilee celebration of Nyokum Yullo at Yazali this year, Nyishi Art & Culture Welfare Society Chairman Bengia Tabb invited Dr Alex to attend.

Many speakers highlighted various aspects of Nyishis including Dr Tana Showren, first professor of the community and senior officer (Kra-Dadi DC) Pige Ligu, who also assisted Dr Alex in research works.  

NFC would continue to work under the guidance of Dakpe and Bengia, the conference unanimously concluded.


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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