Meghalaya's Traditional Indigenous Knowledge: Preservation And Protection

Abstract

A corpus of information gathered over many years by state agencies working in their respective domains, supporting the development of livelihoods, rural development, food security, and poverty reduction. But since most of this knowledge is implicit, it needs to be standardized so that everyone may access it. The transmission of traditional indigenous knowledge from generation to generation is essential to the sustainability of indigenous people's means of sustenance as well as the preservation and promotion of their cultures and identities. India's northeastern Meghalaya is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Because there is a general lack of awareness among the community and because there is no proper system in place to protect and defend their traditional Indigenous understanding, the indigenous people of Meghalaya are in danger of going extinct. It is crucial to preserve and protect the disparate traditional indigenous knowledge in Meghalaya. This essay aims to provide readers with an understanding of the concepts of traditional and indigenous knowledge. This research investigates Meghalaya's traditional knowledge and the need to preserve it within the state. This study also emphasizes the function of the Traditional Digital Knowledge Library (TKDL) in maintaining traditional indigenous knowledge. For thousands of years, indigenous peoples have been producing paintings, carvings, dances, and other artistic expressions that have been passed down orally through custom. Traditional knowledge forms the foundation of the identity, cultural history, and means of subsistence of indigenous peoples.

The people of Meghalaya think the gods live in the hallowed groves or woodlands. It keeps terrible spirits at bay and bestows welfare upon people, their cattle, and their land. Those who disobey these groves' customary rules risk incurring the wrath of the god.

Datlawakor is a Meghalayan football game that has been preserved. Football called "Datlawakor" is played between two teams from the upper and lower Myntdu Rivers using a timber ball. It is said that the victorious team is rewarded with an abundant crop.

Native Americans frequently assert that their knowledge is holistic and inextricably linked to the places and resources that they have access to. In these cosmologies, traditional knowledge is intrinsically linked to access. The present paper highlights the Meghalaya's Traditional Indigenous Knowledge with its protection and preservation. A few recommendations have been given in the report to save and maintain Meghalaya's traditional knowledge