Literature of the north-east India is diverse. The folk tales of Arunachal Pradesh reveal about the traditions and history of the state. Like most other regions of our country it was via oral traditions that the stories got revealed. The folk tradition which is indigenous is very vibrant in the cultural heritage of this state. Literacy came later. It is via oral tradition that the beliefs of their history are revealed from past generation. The past and the present get linked with the help of folk tales. The tales stress how the human societies and natural systems co-evolved. The stories of the forests, wild beasts, and objects of nature and supernatural beliefs are known through these folk tales. Some of these stories are The Fable of the Sun, Birth of the Tiger, and How the Bees Came in the World (B.K. Borgohain, Folk Tales of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh). The state has undergone visible changes in the present era. But folk traditions still continue. Folk traditions reiterate that all that was progressive did not come from the West. In the larger globalization era, looking at the folk traditions are way of revealing the micro cultures too.
Key Words Folk tradition; oral tradition; Arunachal Pradesh; history; beliefs; India; folk tales.
Folk tales from India
Introduction
From the beginning of human civilization, primitive human ancestors used to live in the deep jungle and were amiably nurtured by the nature. The degree of their association with the nature signifies the status of change from a rural to urban society. Tribal people form an important component of the natural ecosystem in which they are in a multiplex relationship among population within their habitat. The history of human development starts from their intimate association with the nature since time immemorial. The tribal way of life is very much dictated by the nature right from the birth to death. The nature is not only their home, but also they always like and live in harmony with nature. Most of the tribes living in forests, hills, and mountains are practicing simple mode of production and have socio-political structure and religious system of their own which revolves round the surrounding natural ecosystem. India is one of the 12 mega diversity countries in the world based on species rarity and endemism. Northeastern part of India has multifaceted potential too. The region has an interesting socio-cultural ethnic and linguistic diversity, with more than 200 dominant tribes and many sub-tribes that reflect the complex social structure. Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalaya is among the 200 globally important eco-regions.
Discussion
Since 1947, Arunachal was a part of the North East Frontier Agency and was later made a Union Territory. It was made a full fledged state on 1987. In recent times, Arunachal’s tribal society and traditional culture has undergone rapid transformation since India's Independence. It is a place where life and legend intertwine (Mamang Dai). However, it is a society dominated by age-old customs and beliefs. The history of Arunachal Pradesh is a virtual treasure trove of myths and fascinating traditions, but the recorded history of this state is available from the 16th century onwards from the times of the Tais of Burma and Thailand. The Tais are one of the most numerous people in the vast tract of the continent of Asia. They are found in innumerable groups and sub groups under various local names. The Assam branch of the Tai, whose kings ruled in the Brahmaputra valley, is known by local name ‘Ahom’. Besides the Ahoms, there are several other groups of Tai people as Khamti, Phake, Aiton, Turung, Khamyang, who came to this valley at later periods and made their settlements in various places of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Tai people of Arunachal Pradesh are a branch of the great Tai family South-east Asia, China, Myanmar and Thailand. They have an age old culture and art tradition.
Most of the people living in Arunachal Pradesh are either of Tibetan or Thai - Burmese origin. Presently, the people of Arunachal are divided into some cultural groups on the basis of their socio-religious affinities. Some of these groups are the Monpas and Sherdukpens. Culturally similar to them are Membas and Khambas who live in the high mountains along the northern borders. Another group includes the Adis, Akas, Apatanis, Bangnis, Nishis, Mishmis, Mijis, Thongsas etc., who worship Sun and Moon God namely, Donyi-Polo and Abo-Tani, the original ancestors for most of these tribes. Their religious rituals largely coincide with phases of agricultural cycles. They invoke nature deities and make animal sacrifices. The major languages are Adi, Nishi, Monpa and others.
There are 26 major different tribes in Arunachal. They have sub-groups and speak various languages and dialects. Language which is the medium of expression actually silently passes on from one generation to another. It is the most important phenomenon we perform. Language is one's total upbringing. Language in a country is said to controls its culture. The oral tradition in literature of Arunachal too finds vehicle in the language. Ethnicity and ethnic identity of these parts of the nation could have been difficult to define and apprehend if there were no oral literatures of the past.
Arunachal however finds an earlier place in the importance of India. It finds mention in the literature of the Kalika Purana and Mahabharata as the Prabhu mountains of the Puranas. More explicitly, there is the Buddhist literature intermingled with Arunachal. Folk literature of Arunachal exists side by side with Buddhist literatures. The folk literature of this state deals with very old stories of creation myths which have come from the Tais. There may be some variations in the names of the myths from with other Tais of Asia. But the spirit of all these creation myths seems to be same.
It proves that folk tradition implies some kind of collectivity as it is a shared experience, common to more than one person. Although, the history of folklore studies began in the 19th century, one can trace its roots back even further. According to Max Muller, it is said that all races find their origin in certain basic tribes. Hence, we can determine how folk speech and utterances had some common generic roots. This is similarly acknowledged by the migrant Tais in India with the Tais in other parts of Asia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the subject of the document "Folk tales from India"?
The document introduces the topic of folk tales from India, specifically focusing on the tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh. It explores the relationship between these communities and nature, their socio-cultural diversity, and the importance of oral traditions in preserving their history and identity.
What is the historical context provided in the document?
The document provides a historical context by mentioning the evolution of Arunachal Pradesh from a part of the North East Frontier Agency to a full-fledged state. It also touches upon the influence of the Tais of Burma and Thailand, the Ahom kingdom, and the origins of various tribes in the region.
What are some of the tribes mentioned in the document?
The document mentions several tribes living in Arunachal Pradesh, including the Monpas, Sherdukpens, Membas, Khambas, Adis, Akas, Apatanis, Bangnis, Nishis, Mishmis, Mijis, and Thongsas.
What are some of the key themes explored in the folk tales discussed?
The document explores key themes like the origins of natural phenomena (e.g., sun, lightning, water, bees), the nature of gods, and the relationship between humans and the divine. It also touches upon themes of jealousy, satire, and the co-evolution of human societies and natural systems.
Who is Dr. Verrier Elwin and what is his contribution?
Dr. Verrier Elwin is an anthropologist who is recognized as one of the first to collect folklores of Arunachal Pradesh in the 1950s.
What are some of the folk tales mentioned in the document?
The document mentions several folk tales, including "The Fable of the Sun," "How Lightning Began," "How Water Came," "Birth of the Tiger," and "How the Bees Came into the World."
What are some of the characteristics of folk tales from Arunachal Pradesh as described in the document?
The document describes the folk tales as short narratives that abstract reality or social life. They are characterized by speed in narration, a focus on social life, and the transmission of knowledge through oral tradition. They can also feature archetypal characters and mythical elements.
What is the significance of language in the context of Arunachal Pradesh's folk tales?
Language serves as a crucial vehicle for transmitting oral literature and preserving the ethnic identity of the various tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. It is through language that the stories, myths, and traditions are passed down from one generation to the next.
What is the mention of the Kalika Purana and Mahabharata?
The text mentions that Arunachal Pradesh finds an earlier place in the literature of the Kalika Purana and Mahabharata as the Prabhu mountains of the Puranas.
- Quote paper
- Mumtaz Mazumdar (Author), 2011, Folk Tales From India, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/177287
