An Ecocritical Study of Ethnic Folklore in Select Works of Easterine Kire

Abstract

Folklore is the traditional beliefs, customs, rituals, songs, stories, and practices of a newlinecommunity or group of people, transmitted across generations. Folklore is generally newlinetransmitted through word of mouth, observation, and participation. Though folklore is newlinerooted in the past, it is constantly being interpreted and adapted to new circumstances. newlineIt can be said that folklore is a collective expression of a community or group of people. newlineFolklore provides insights about a community or tribe s history, culture, and values. newlineFolklore helps to understand the ways in which people create and transmit knowledge, newlinebeliefs, and traditions. newlineThe folklore of the Nagas brings out the history, culture, and values of the community. newlineThe Nagas traditionally practiced animism. They believed that spirits inhabit all the living newlinethings and the elements of nature. This belief system and the stories that talk about newlineinteractions between humans and spirits are reflected in the folklore of the Nagas. newlineNagaland is known as the land of festivals. Festivals are an important part of the cultural newlineheritage of the Nagas. The festivals of the Nagas often celebrate harvests, honour deities, newlineand commemorate significant historical events. With the involvement of traditional newlinedances, songs, and rituals re-enacting stories and traditional beliefs, folklore plays a newlinesignificant role in the festivals of the Nagas. newlineThe natural world plays a significant role in the folklore of the Nagas. In Naga folklore, newlinethe stories about mountains, forests, rivers, and animals are abundantly found. These newlinestories reflect the Nagas deep connection to the environment and their understanding of newlinethe natural forces. Animals and other natural forces are also featured in the origin or newlinecreation myths of the Nagas. For example, according to a Naga origin myth, Spirit, Tiger, newlineand Man were brothers born out of the same mother.