By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 22: The introduction of sensitive topics such as menstrual hygiene, sex education, and teenage pregnancies into Meghalaya’s education system has long been a matter of concern. The recently concluded Forgotten Folklore Project (TFFP) Summit 2024, hosted by the Sauramandala Foundation, opened new pathways to address these issues by aiming to integrate them into early childhood education through culturally sensitive storytelling.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh praised the initiative, emphasising how storytelling could be effectively used to discuss sensitive matters in ways that resonate with local communities. She highlighted the alarming rise in cervical cancer cases in Meghalaya, which now accounts for 46 per cent of the state’s cancer cases, largely due to poor menstrual hygiene and limited knowledge about sexual health.
“We don’t communicate well enough about topics like menstrual hygiene, sex education, or child spacing,” Lyngdoh said during her address. “It’s not that the government isn’t doing anything, but there’s a communication gap. Once we bridge that gap, we’ll reach the right people.”
Lyngdoh suggested that the culturally contextualised stories produced by TFFP could serve as an effective medium to convey vital health messages to young children and adolescents. She applauded the initiative for creating what she called “jewels of information” in the form of storybooks, emphasising the power of storytelling to break down cultural barriers around sensitive subjects.
Nagakarthik MP, founder of the Sauramandala Foundation, shared the foundation’s vision of using stories to address sensitive issues in a culturally appropriate way. “We’re exploring how these stories can tackle key issues like menstrual health, sex education, and social equality. It’s still in its early stages,” he said. “Storytelling has the potential to spark conversations that are difficult to start in other formats.”
The summit, which gathered over 200 stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, and creators, celebrated the creation of 45 contextualised storybooks rooted in the folklore, traditions, and indigenous knowledge of Meghalaya’s Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities.
During the storytelling session for children, the effectiveness of this approach was evident. The children were enthralled by tales from the newly published storybooks, which incorporated local myths and legends while subtly introducing themes of health, hygiene, and social responsibility.
Nagakarthik highlighted that the project initially started as an effort to address the lack of culturally relevant educational materials in Anganwadi centres across Meghalaya. However, it soon became clear that these stories could be expanded to include broader themes, such as health and social issues, in a way that is both engaging and respectful of cultural norms.
Minister in charge of Arts and Culture and Social Welfare, Paul Lyngdoh, noted that through initiatives like TFFP, stories that might have been forgotten are being preserved and can now serve a dual purpose: preserving cultural heritage and educating the younger generation on critical issues.
“Our culture is one of the oldest surviving civilisations. Stories like these are vital for showcasing the diversity of Meghalaya’s society,” he said. “What would have been forgotten will now be remembered through TFFP.”