IMPORTANCE OF NATURE IN THE INDIGENOUS TRIBES OF ASSAM

Abstract

Nature has always been central to the cultural, economic, and spiritual life of the indigenous tribes of Assam. The ecological landscapes of the Brahmaputra valley and the adjoining hills—marked by dense forests, rivers, wetlands, and biodiversity—form the foundation upon which the tribes have built their daily livelihood systems, seasonal rituals, cosmologies, oral traditions, symbolic art forms, and social structures. This research paper examines the multidimensional importance of nature in the lives of major indigenous communities of Assam, including the Mishing, Bodo, Karbi, Rabha, Garo, Dimasa, Deori, and others. Through a comprehensive analysis, the study reveals that nature is not merely a physical environment but a cultural ecosystem intimately woven into identity formation, belief systems, festival cycles, occupational habits, medicinal practices, and community governance.

The paper explores how indigenous cosmologies interpret nature as a living entity endowed with spirits and moral agency. These cosmological structures guide ethical codes of human–nature interaction, encouraging harmonious coexistence and environmental stewardship. Rituals such as Dobur Uie (Mishing), Kherai (Bodo), Rongker (Karbi), Wangala (Garo), and Magh (Dimasa) demonstrate the deep interdependence between ecological elements and ritual performances. Nature also plays a crucial role in sustaining livelihoods through agriculture, fishing, hunting, forest gathering, weaving, and traditional crafts that use natural materials such as bamboo, cane, cotton, medicinal herbs, and aromatic plants.

The paper further discusses how oral literature—myths, legends, folktales, chants, and songs—symbolically encodes ecological knowledge and preserves intergenerational memories of rivers, forests, and wildlife. Indigenous ecological knowledge systems(S) guide agricultural techniques, climatic predictions, flood management, resource conservation, and biodiversity protection.

Modern influences, however, have brought significant challenges: deforestation, riverbank erosion, industrialization, climate change, and the intrusion of market-based economic systems threaten both natural resources and cultural sustainability. Yet, indigenous tribes continue to demonstrate resilience through adaptation, community-based conservation, and cultural revival movements.

Using interdisciplinary methods—anthropology, ethnography, folklore studies, environmental studies, and cultural geography—this paper offers a holistic understanding of the ecological foundations of indigenous cultural identity in Assam. It argues that the protection of indigenous ecological knowledge is vital for sustainable development and climate resilience in the region.