Tribal Wisdom and Sustainable Living in Kinnaura Folklore

Abstract

India, with its many states and diverse indigenous communities, is a land of vibrant cultural heritage shaped by countless tribal traditions and folklore. Folklore encapsulates the collective wisdom, values, and beliefs of a community, often offering guidance on how to live in balance with nature. Oral traditions such as folk songs and stories have historically served as vital tools for passing down ecological knowledge and sustainable practices across generations. These narratives not only reflect a deep reverence for the natural world but also provide practical insights into how traditional societies have coexisted harmoniously with their environment. In contrast, the rapid advancement of science and technology in the 21st century, while contributing to human progress, has also led to a growing disconnection from nature. This disconnection has been accompanied by increasing environmental degradation and natural disasters—including the COVID-19 pandemic, earthquakes, desertification, and water scarcity. As modern lifestyles move further from ecological awareness, the lessons embedded in folklore become increasingly relevant and urgent.

This study focuses on the Kinnaura tribe of Himachal Pradesh and explores their rich oral traditions, encompassing folk songs, stories, and rituals, as vital expressions of cultural and ecological wisdom.  Through an analysis of these traditional stories, the study demonstrates how Kinnauri folklore encourages sustainable lifestyles, ecological literacy, and environmental ethics. The study further emphasizes the need to preserve and integrate such indigenous oral traditions into contemporary ecological discourses, recognizing their potential to inspire environmentally responsible attitudes and practices in the modern world.  It will also address the intricate relationship between folklore and cultural ecology, emphasizing the essential role that traditional narratives play in fostering ecological sustainability.