Traditional Folk Media: Its Importance, Awareness and Attitude towards Drug Abuse among Hmar Youth in Dima Hasao District of Assam

Abstract

Traditional folk media are indigenous media form based on sound, images and sign languages. It exists in the form of folk lore, folk tale, dance, song, drama puppetry, folk art customs traditions, celebration, festivals and so on. It emerged from the needs of the various caste, communities and linguistic and ethnic groups, hence deeply associated with the grass root culture and social practices. When information or awareness is given to the native people, they feel very easy to understand or know when it is given in their own traditional media. Hmar is a tribal community mostly inhabited in Dima Hasao district of Assam. Earlier, this district badly suffered from terrorism, which resulted in an increase in illegal activities and drug abuse. This research paper is an attempt to understand how the native and uneducated people of the villages would be given education as well as awareness against drug abuse in order to stop it. The study is carried out among the Hmar youth of Umrangsuo with population of 78 individuals and Hmunthazao with population of 65 individuals. Apart from political conflicts and insurgency, these people are one of the most venerable groups for HIV-AIDS, human trafficking and drug abuse. It has been observed by many groups and government organisations that tribal population of the Dima Hasao District of Assam is suffering from the problem of drug addiction. This paper is an attempt to understand the importance of traditional folk media to stop or create awareness in the usage of drug abuse among the youth. This study is based on primary data from selected villages of Dima Hasao District. Primary data were collected using questionnaire, schedules and personal interview. Purposive sampling method was applied to collect data.