SHILLONG, March 10: The Oral History Association of India (OHAI) will organise a conference entitled ‘Mountain History: At the Intersection of Memory, Politics and Identity’ from March 13 to 15 at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong. Hosted in collaboration with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, NEHU and Northeast India AV Archive, St Anthony’s College, Shillong, and supported by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, this conference intends to explore India’s rich regional histories and cultures, focusing on the often overlooked narratives from the mountain and mountain communities.
The conference seeks to rectify this imbalance by delving into the socio-cultural and political histories of these diverse landscapes that emerge through the oral histories.
Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma has consented to be the chief guest of the inaugural event of the conference to be held at 9:30 am on March 13, at the auditorium of U Kiang Nongbah (Old) Guest House, NEHU, Shillong.
The conference focuses on the intersections of mountain studies, social and cultural histories, indigeneity and politics through oral histories. The conference encourages questioning of the categories like ‘tribal’ and ‘indigenous’, and unpacking the diverse narratives of and on mountains. Further it will also explore how these constructions are often displaced in larger political articulations of state and administration. Such displaced voices provide alternative and counter narratives that showcase the interplay between polity, identity, memory, and indigeneity.
Some of the sub-themes to be presented in the conference are: Mountains as Spaces and Habitat; Cultures and Communities of the Mountains; Mountain Ecosystem; Folklore and Storytelling; Mountains as Frontiers; Mountain Life-Worlds; Mountain Religions and Sacred Landscapes; Pastoralism and Trade; Modernity in the Mountains; Mountain and Political Movement; States, Institutions, and Infrastructure in the Mountains; Mountain Families; Mountain Nostalgia.
Vrunda Pathare, president of OHAI, said, “Mountain ecosystems contain a wealth of climatic, cultural, and ecological diversity. Through oral history, we aim to uncover the untold stories and traditions of these regions, shedding light on their significance in shaping India’s past and present. We’re excited to provide a platform for scholars, historians and oral historians to share their insights and experiences. By amplifying marginalised voices and going beyond dominant narratives, we hope to foster a more inclusive understanding of India’s mountainous landscapes.”
