By HH Mohrmen
With the passage of time evidence has started to emerge which shows that the indigenous people around the world are indeed unique and their lives need to be celebrated. Hence the United Nations commemorates every August 9 as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups. The effort is also to promote and protect the basic Human Rights of indigenous people around the world.
The uniqueness of the Indigenous People
So why are indigenous people considered unique? Of course, there is another argument that every community is indigenous in their land, but one cannot deny that the indigenous people are unique and they are different from the other races in the world. They have something special and share some common principles of life which are distinct only to this group of people.
A small interaction with a group of people comprising community leaders and school teachers from the districts in the Khasi and Jañtia Hills and Garo Hills helped establish the fact that the indigenous people have some common principles of life which also differentiate them from the others. This is true at least in the case of the indigenous people of Meghalaya and the following are the major principles that they have in common.
Living a morally upright life
In the tribal society, everyone in the community is required to live a morally upright lifestyle. One of the basic moral tenets in the tribal culture, which include that of the Hynñew Trep Society, which comprises the Khasi, the Pnar, the War, the Bhoi, the Lyngngam, and others, is the phrase, “ka tip briew tip blei,” which translates as “know man, know god. It can also mean someone courteous, polite, or well-mannered. Living according to the “ka tip hok tip sot” principle, which means to do only what is right and true, is another ideal in the indigenous society of the state. Living with propriety and honour which is referred to in Khasi as “ban im don akor, don burom,” is the ideal of a perfect life in the society.
The Hynñew Trep People hold the spoken word in the highest regard. Once a commitment has been made, one is required, “ban bat ia ka nia ka jutang,” or maintain the words that one has uttered. The expression, “ka jingkordor ka shikyntien ka hok” (literally, “the honour of the single word of truth”), also conveys the value of the spoken word. The expression “u thylliej ksiar thylliej rupa” which symbolises the tongue that helps a person speak words that are as precious as silver and gold also serves as an example of keeping one’s word or upholding one’s commitments.
“Ka kamai ia ka hok,” means living righteously or achieving righteousness being the pinnacle of life in their way of life. When interacting with others, this is the principle that one should uphold. One is required to act righteously when dealing with people and to only seek what is right in one’s life.
In the tribal society in Meghalaya the clan is the foundation of the life of an individual and it also influences how one interacts with the community. A person is known by the clan he/she belongs to; one’s identity also extends beyond one’s surname. Relationships extend beyond the family to include the clan as well as one’s relatives from the father’s side too. “Ka tip kur tip kha,” which translates to “respect one’s relation both on the father’s and mother’s side,” defines the value that has to do with the individual having to maintain relationships on both sides of the family.
These are some principles that people hold in high respect, and every member is expected to maintain these common moral principles and these ethical standards in life. Tribal culture places a high value on character and “ban im ka jingim badon burom” which means leading an honourable life. It is also the definition of the ideal life in the society.
Caring and Giving Society
People are expected to care for each other in the society of the indigenous people of Meghalaya. The ultimate goal of every human life is to strive for the happiness of the collective. The general tenets of the indigenous way of life shared by all is ‘ka bhalang uba bun balang’ or ‘ka bhalang ka imlang’ which translates to ‘common good or well-being of all.’ It permeates every aspect of a person’s life when one interacts with society. It is also ironic that this human tendency manifests itself when there is bereavement in a family. When some dies, the entire community takes part in sharing their sorrow to lessen the hardships of the bereaved family. The visit is also intended to comfort and console the family during their difficult time. The pursuit of the common good or the welfare of all in the community appears in other aspects of society too.
Deep-rooted relationship with Mother Nature
The indigenous people of Meghalaya also refer to nature or the Earth as their mother (mei ramew/Bei ramaw), the giver, the nurturer, and the one that takes care of all creations. The “ki ryngkaw ki basa” or nature deities that reside in the natural world are what make nature a sacred site. They consider rivers and mountains as gods and deities. They create tales about their lives and incorporate the rivers, hills, mountains, animals, and even the local natural phenomena in these stories. They also accept animals and other things as equal beings, and in the Hynñew Trep society, celestial bodies are seen as being on par with terrestrial beings. Tales of the interactions between humans, animals, and celestial beings were woven by people. The close relationship they have with nature in turn helps them conserve biodiversity.
Keepers of Bio-diversity
It is now established that the indigenous people who live in a territory that covers about 25 % of the world’s land surface with a population of 370 million only, are the custodians of about 80 % of the global biodiversity. With just a small population comprising less than 5% of the world’s population, and living in just a quarter of the world’s total land surface, the indigenous people have succeeded in conserving the biodiversity in their region. Indigenous people can be found in 90 countries. They live and occupy approximately a quarter of the world’s land and water and keep the world’s major biodiversity. In India, the northeast region of the country is also known as the biodiversity hotspot of the country. The UN Environment Program, World Conservation Monitoring Centre/ICCA Consortium’s new estimates suggest that Indigenous peoples and local communities conserve at least a fifth of all land on Earth.
Environment-friendly farming practice
Since ages, farmers in the state farmed different crops which vary according to the region and the seasons in the year. In the southern slopes bordering Bangladesh and on the border with Assam, millet was popular in the area where jhum cultivation is popular. The area on the border was also a once popular orange orchard and is now an areca-nut and betel leaf plantation. In the plateau region of Jañtia hills, wetland rice cultivation is popular and in the Khasi hills bunds and terrace cultivation are popular. In general farmers in the state engage in different farming practices like shifting, bunds, subsistence, plantation, terracing, foraging from the forest, and wetland cultivation. Their production system is nature-based which is regenerative and environment friendly.
Keepers of the World’s Diverse Culture
Indigenous Peoples live in all regions of the world and own, occupy, or use some 22% of the global land area. Numbering between 370-500 million, Indigenous Peoples represent the greater part of the world’s cultural diversity. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures. Despite their cultural differences, Indigenous Peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples. Many indigenous peoples continue to be poor and marginalized, living in extreme poverty and having their basic human rights violated.
These are major principles that are common in all the indigenous people around the world which differentiate them from the others. In conclusion, the indigenous people’s lifestyles which include diverse cultures and their close relationship with nature enable them to keep the biodiversity in their regions. In a world where climate change is staring at us, indigenous farming practices and nature-based food system are going to be the game-changers.