As we navigate the escalating environmental crises, it’s imperative that we turn to those who have long been custodians of our planet – Indigenous Peoples, who manage 22% of the Earth’s surface, areas that are ecological treasures brimming with biodiversity. Their cultures and traditions born from a deep-rooted connection with their native land isn’t just a cultural relic, it’s a dynamic approach to sustainability and conservation.
Indigenous communities across the world stand out as actors of change, guardians of natural resources and carriers of unique worldviews, knowledge, and skills. They have always been catalysts of transformation, upholding our planet’s resources while illustrating unique skills, wisdom, and traditions. Their intimate understanding of ecosystems, along with a profound respect for the interconnectedness of all living things, has been a blueprint for sustainable use and conservation of natural resources for centuries.
At the heart of the conservation strategies of most indigenous communities lies the art of storytelling – folktales and stories passed down through generations as a rich heritage. These narratives, often preserved only through oral history, serve a multitude of purposes – entertainment, transmitting cultural knowledge, fostering a sense of community, and instilling moral values in the youth. A common thread running through indigenous storytelling is the belief that communication with nature is a fundamental aspect of life. This deep connection to the natural world is evident in the stories themselves, which depict a harmonious synergy between humans and their environment.
We have spent the better part of this year in the Northeast state of Meghalaya, home to the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes, working with all three communities on forest conservation, learning about their rich traditions and cultures along the way. Here folklore and conservation goes hand in hand, seamlessly woven into the fundamental essence of their cultural identity. Their belief in animistic spirits, that reside in forests and water bodies, has instilled a sense of reverence and responsibility for these ecosystems and acts as a powerful deterrent against deforestation and unsustainable practices.
In Khasi tradition, the Mawphlang Sacred Forest is home to the deity “Labasa,” who, according to local belief, takes the form of a leopard to protect the community in times of misfortune. While rites and rituals are performed periodically to please the deity, the rule remains – what belongs in the forest must remain in the forest. Even a fallen leaf or a dry twig is prohibited from being taken out. Legends warn of misfortune befalling those who dare to break this rule, and as a result, the forest remains untouched, a sanctuary for rare and endangered species. This spiritual connection is mirrored across Meghalaya’s sacred groves, 125 of which span roughly 9,000 hectares in the Khasi and Jaintia regions.
In Garo culture, the concept of “Songsarek” further exemplifies this connection. These forbidden sites, forests often believed to be the dwelling place of malevolent spirits remain undisturbed from human encroachment due to fear of these supernatural entities. Similarly, certain stretches of rivers and lakes across Meghalaya are believed to be inhabited by a mystical creature that attacks the person fishing. As a result, fishing has been prohibited in such waterbodies, which are now established as Fish Sanctuaries, helping populations of the indigenous fish species to thrive.
Beyond the fear of the supernatural, indigenous stories also instil a deep sense of kinship with nature. Within the Khasi community, this connection is woven into their very identity through practices like certain clans having dietary restrictions tied to their clan names. The Jyrwa clan, for instance, avoids eating bamboo shoots — a tribute to their ancestors who once sought refuge in bamboo groves during times of war. This practice, embedded in their cultural identity serves as a reminder of their respect for the natural world and the need to live in harmony with it. In terms of conservation, this helps to sustainably and equitably allocate natural resources amongst the community and maintain the bamboo population of their region.
These dietary restrictions extend across other clans of the Khasi community as well. The Cherra Syiems are forbidden from eating dried fish (“Kha-piah”), the Mylliem Syiem prohibited from consuming the gourd (“U Pathaw”), the Syiemlieh clan is barred from eating the “ka kha lani” fish, and the Khar-um-nuid clan of Khyrim faces a restriction on pork consumption. Each restriction is a testament to the community’s reverence for the natural world and their commitment to living in harmony with it. A tradition passed down to them over centuries through stories of bravery and heroics of their ancestors.
A captivating folktale among the Khasi-Pnar people tells the story of “U Sier Lapalang” (The Stag of Lapalang) that highlights their reverence for nature and the consequences of disrespecting it. Born on the plains, U Sier Lapalang was a majestic stag, drawn to the hills by the allure of their rich biodiversity. As the story goes, he journeyed to these unfamiliar lands, captivated by the stories of earth, river and forest deities. His presence however did not go unnoticed by the local hunters who had heard tales of his magnificence and they set out to hunt him. As the stag roamed the hills, he was pursued relentlessly by hunters and their dogs, and eventually cornered and killed.
His mother, consumed by grief, searched frantically for her son, her cries echoing through the hills and valleys. The profound sorrow and devastation experienced by the stag’s mother moved the hunters deeply. Witnessing the depth of her grief and the ripple effects of their actions, they come to a powerful realisation about the sanctity of life and the interconnectedness of all beings. In an act of repentance, they destroyed their hunting tools and embraced a new understanding of the value of life. This folktale, passed down through generations, underscores the Khasi-Pnar people’s connection to their environment and the profound impact that their actions have on the natural world. It serves as a reminder of the need for respect, empathy, and harmony between humans and the natural world.
Meghalaya is not different from other regions with indigenous communities in its tradition of storytelling. In another Northeast state, Arunachal Pradesh, the Mishmi tribe’s relationship with tigers provides another compelling example – they consider tigers to be ancestral brothers born to the same mother. This brotherhood was tragically broken when a disagreement led to the killing of a tiger by the Idu people, an act of murder that spilled the blood of one’s own kin. As a consequence, misfortunes and diseases plagued the Idu. Though separated, the tiger occasionally returns to the lower mountains to claim cattle, a re-enactment of the ancestral myth that intertwines man and tiger. Despite the financial, emotional, spiritual, and psychological stress this causes, the Idu, guided by their beliefs, resist immediate retaliatory killing. This practice stands in stark contrast to the prevalent response in other regions, where retaliatory killing is a significant threat to tiger and other wildlife populations. This further demonstrates the power of interconnectedness instilled through stories.
These glimpses into the rich storytelling traditions of Northeast India reveal how deeply embedded these tales are in conservation efforts. Through folktales, myths, and legends, these communities for centuries have nurtured a deep understanding of their environment and cultivated a profound sense of stewardship towards its protection. As we address the challenges of environmental degradation in the 21st century, these ancient narratives offer a valuable lesson: conservation is not just about scientific knowledge, it’s about cultivating a real sense of respect, reverence, and belonging – elements deeply embedded in the cultural identity of Indigenous communities.
On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, let us acknowledge the importance of their traditions, their deep connection to nature, and their invaluable contributions to global conservation. These stories remind us that conservation is a shared journey that requires us to connect with the natural world on a fundamental level. Let us immerse ourselves in their stories, learn from their wisdom, and strive to protect the environment in a way that honours their ancestral legacy.
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https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000390726
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Fernández-Llamazares, Á., & Cabeza, M. (2018). Rediscovering the potential of indigenous storytelling for conservation practice. Conservation Letters 11: e12398.
- https://www.sanctuarynaturefoundation.org/article/tribal-tigers
