Abstract
Sartang is a very lesser known and under-researched indigenous community of West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, North East India. Historically, they were hunter-gatherers and practiced a religion called Bon, which was present in the area before the spread of Buddhism. They are now moving towards adopting new cultures and traditions. In the wake of the development happening in Arunachal and increase of the contact with the outside world, the community’s culture, tradition and world views are changing, which might result in the extinction of the same in the near future. Before this happens, the community should be studied to capture its world views and sustainable practices, as it has remained historically neglected and highly under-researched. In order to examine the community, fieldwork was conducted in four villages and their adjacent hamlets. Qualitative research methods, such as ethnography, semi-structured interviews, and participant observations, were employed. Additionally, secondary data was obtained by referring to archives. The results of the study show that the influx of other cultures, like Buddhism and Christianity, as well as modernization, is affecting the indigenous cultures, beliefs, and practices, which in turn is leading to the changes in their socio-ecological systems. Thus, the preservation and documentation of such knowledge could ensure its longevity for the upcoming generation of Sartang and provide an opportunity for the world to gain insights from it. Through Sartang’s narrative, this study also illustrates the widespread impact on indigenous populations, their cultures, and their belief systems worldwide.
Presenters
Gargi VatsPhD Scholar, Centre For Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi, Delhi, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Sustainable Development for a Dynamic Planet: Lessons, Priorities, and Solutions
KEYWORDS
ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY, SARTANG, SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
