The RIWATCH Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (RCICH) successfully concluded a two-week research fieldwork programme across Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh, as part of its ongoing initiative to document and preserve the rich intangible cultural heritage of indigenous communities. The research team, led by Hari Apralo and Miju Mena, carried out extensive documentation across villages in the Walong, Hayuliang, and Changlagam circles. The fieldwork primarily focused on the Meyor, Kaman Mishmi, and Taraon Mishmi communities, recording their traditional knowledge systems, oral traditions, rituals, cultural practices, and way of life.
As part of the programme, the team conducted interactive community sessions, screened documentaries produced by RIWATCH, and shared the organisation’s ongoing efforts to document, preserve, safeguard, and promote the cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous communities.
The documentation exercise witnessed active participation from community leaders, government officials, Gaon Buras, women, youth, and students, who extended valuable support throughout the fieldwork.
A significant aspect of the research involved interactions with traditional ritual specialists—locally known as Kambring, Gwak, and Kaho—who shared invaluable knowledge on indigenous belief systems, rituals, and customary practices. Farmers, artisans, and hunters also contributed by narrating their traditional livelihoods and experiences, providing deeper insights into the resilience, ecological knowledge, and cultural identity of their communities.
During the interactions, community members also expressed concerns regarding cultural dilution, rapid social change, and the challenges of preserving indigenous identity in contemporary times. These discussions highlighted the growing importance of systematic documentation and community-led cultural preservation initiatives.
One of the most significant outcomes of the fieldwork was the voluntary donation of several sacred artefacts and culturally significant personal belongings by community members to the RIWATCH People’s Museum. These collections will strengthen the museum’s efforts to preserve indigenous material culture, facilitate future research and education, and ensure that the cultural heritage of these communities is safeguarded for future generations.
The research team encouraged continued collaboration with local communities in identifying, documenting, and preserving cultural knowledge and heritage materials.
This fieldwork reflects RIWATCH’s continued commitment to documenting, preserving, and promoting the intangible cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh while working closely with indigenous communities to ensure that their traditions, knowledge systems, and cultural identities are preserved for generations to come.
News Covered by :
Arunachal 24.in: https://arunachal24.in/riwatch-concludes-cultural-documentation-drive-in-anjaw-dist/
