Incorporation of Oral Tradition in Archaeological studies in Nagaland

Abstract

Oral traditions are an exceptionally rich source of knowledge among the Nagas. Nagas, like the rest of the tribal communities of the northeastern region, share a common feature of having only the spoken language with no script of their own. It was only from the 19th century, when the region was annexed and brought into the fold of colonial rule, that the local languages began to be transcribed using the Roman script. Earlier, it has been just the word of mouth, passed on from one generation to another which constituted the history of the Nagas. To better understand Nagas’ pre-colonial past, it is imperative for researchers to uncover through such local historical sources. However, to ascertain the validity of the historical claims of oral traditions scientific evidence is required; where archaeology can contribute extensively. Archaeology and oral history approaches can complement each other to give a clearer picture of Naga history. Several research works have been undertaken in Nagaland, since the last century, whereby oral traditions have been linked to archaeological studies. With the advent of the 21st century, a deeper appreciation of indigenous oral traditions as historical sources is seen, in the interpretation of past migration, settlement, environment, and ways of life of the Nagas. The richness of oral traditions about specific places and events in history has inevitably enticed archaeologists in Nagaland to use such sources in locating and in explicating the function and meaning of sites as well. Thus, in recent years, valuing oral traditions as part of the direct historical approach has become a scientific approach in archaeological works in Nagaland. This chapter is an attempt to present an overview of the archaeological studies carried out in Nagaland from the earliest till now whereby oral traditions have been used in understanding the ancestral history of the Nagas.