Bodoland University hosted a vibrant one-day international symposium on April 5, 2025, focusing on indigenous knowledge systems. The event, held at the university campus in Kokrajhar, celebrated the theme “Preserving and Promoting Indigenous Knowledge: Connecting People – The Revitalization of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Northeast India.” Organizers brought together scholars, cultural custodians, educators, and community leaders from across the region and beyond to engage in meaningful dialogue on the urgent need to protect and promote traditional wisdom.
The symposium drew a diverse audience. University officials and faculty members welcomed guests with cultural performances and traditional rituals that reflected the region’s heritage. Delegates shared insights on how indigenous knowledge contributes to environmental sustainability, traditional healing, oral history, and cultural identity. Attendees paid special attention to how such knowledge can coexist with modern academic frameworks, offering new paths to inclusive education.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Laishram Ladu Singh inaugurated the event and underlined the university’s commitment to integrating indigenous knowledge into its academic programs. He stated that preserving cultural heritage must go beyond documentation. The university, he said, will support field-based research that directly engages with local communities, empowering them to act as knowledge-keepers. His speech received enthusiastic applause from students and elders alike.
Participants shared fieldwork findings, historical accounts, and stories passed down through generations. Panel discussions emphasized the risks indigenous knowledge systems face due to modernization, migration, and language loss. Speakers stressed the need to develop a policy framework that recognizes and protects these systems while ensuring local communities remain their rightful custodians.
International guests from Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal offered comparative perspectives on the treatment of indigenous knowledge in their countries. Their contributions expanded the dialogue and created opportunities for future collaboration in cross-border academic research and cultural exchange. Academicians from North East Hill University, Rajiv Gandhi University, and Assam University presented papers that connected local folklore, herbal medicine, agricultural practices, and storytelling traditions to broader anthropological studies.
The Department of Indigenous and Tribal Studies at Bodoland University played a key role in organizing the event. Faculty members showcased research projects involving Bodo, Rabha, Mising, Karbi, and Dimasa communities. Several of these studies highlighted how traditional ecological knowledge continues to guide agricultural planning and disaster preparedness in rural areas of Assam. Student volunteers translated presentations in local dialects to foster inclusivity.
Community elders, artisans, and traditional healers also addressed the gathering. They spoke about their lived experiences and voiced concerns over diminishing interest among the younger generation. Many participants proposed that schools include local legends, folk songs, and rituals in their syllabi. They argued that education must honor local knowledge systems, not replace them. Art exhibitions and demonstrations of indigenous practices offered hands-on learning moments for attendees.
The event concluded with a cultural evening where tribal dance groups performed folk numbers from various northeastern states. The audience joined in, turning the academic gathering into a celebration of identity and pride. Guests left with a deeper appreciation for the power of tradition and the role of academia in amplifying it.
Bodoland University plans to publish a collection of symposium papers to preserve the conversations that took place. Organizers also proposed forming a regional consortium of institutions to continue working on indigenous knowledge and development. The symposium left a lasting impression, not just for its scholarship, but for its heartfelt emphasis on unity through heritage.
The university reaffirmed its goal to become a hub for indigenous knowledge studies in the northeast. Leaders from civil society and education sectors expressed hope that this effort would help reconnect young people to their roots and offer a platform where tradition and innovation can thrive together.
During the symposium, participants engaged in breakout sessions that allowed smaller groups to have in-depth conversations around pressing challenges. One such group focused on the commercialization of indigenous crafts and the need to ensure fair compensation and credit to artisans. Speakers from local self-help groups explained how middlemen often exploit traditional knowledge without returning benefits to the communities that hold it. They called for stronger intellectual property rights and support from universities to help document and safeguard unique designs, motifs, and cultural expressions.
Young scholars from Bodoland University presented innovative digital archiving projects. They introduced initiatives using mobile apps to collect oral histories, folklore, and songs from remote villages. These tech-savvy efforts received positive feedback for bridging generational gaps and sparking interest among youth. Students stressed that digital storytelling could complement academic research and serve as a dynamic tool for preserving knowledge that is often invisible in written texts.
Language preservation also emerged as a key theme. Linguists from participating institutions pointed out that many indigenous languages in the region are on the verge of extinction. Panelists called for urgent initiatives to develop dictionaries, grammar guides, and audiovisual resources in native tongues. They emphasized the need for state and central governments to support community-based language revival programs that actively involve elders, educators, and school children.
The symposium also spotlighted the intersection between indigenous knowledge and gender roles. Several speakers noted that women often act as carriers of traditional wisdom—particularly in healthcare, food systems, and oral tradition—yet they remain underrepresented in formal research. The sessions encouraged academic institutions to prioritize women-led studies and amplify female voices within indigenous communities. Attendees applauded when female traditional healers took the stage to share remedies, songs, and personal stories passed down through generations.
Art and performance gained recognition as valid and powerful expressions of indigenous knowledge. A short film screening depicted how tribal rituals and celebrations are intertwined with ecological awareness and seasonal changes. The film, created by students of Bodoland University, received high praise for its authenticity and sensitivity. The filmmakers later shared that their inspiration came from spending weeks in villages, listening to elders recount tales of rain patterns, medicinal herbs, and community customs.
To mark the end of the event, university authorities planted indigenous saplings on campus grounds. This symbolic act signified not only the conservation of biodiversity but also the growth of a deeper cultural consciousness rooted in local values. The gesture resonated strongly with participants who viewed the symposium as a timely step toward restoring pride and agency within indigenous communities.
As Bodoland University looks ahead, faculty members shared plans to initiate field schools and community-based internships. These projects aim to immerse students in real-life settings where they can learn directly from tribal knowledge-holders. Professors emphasized that classrooms must expand beyond four walls to become inclusive spaces where traditional and scientific knowledge intersect.
The success of the symposium reaffirmed the belief that indigenous knowledge holds transformative power. It can guide sustainable living, foster social cohesion, and provide alternate lenses for understanding the world. Organizers expressed gratitude to all participants and pledged to hold similar events annually. This commitment promises to keep the momentum alive, deepen collaborations, and elevate the discourse around indigenous knowledge in northeast India and beyond.