ABSTRACT
Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge in understanding Disaster, its Management, Risk Reduction and Community Resilience is one such area which has been gaining significant momentum. This momentum lies in the fact that researches conducted on Disasters in the various regions of the world has resulted in a conspicuous body of knowledge which establishes a strong link between human practices, the environment and disasters. These human practices have been tested over time as they evolved through centuries and are proven to be sustainable and effective in both reducing and managing disasters. Anthropological researches of many traditional and indigenous communities have been able to document a wealth of indigenous knowledge that are passed down through generations and are internalised by the communities through a process of socialization and are a part of their lifestyles (Shaw, et. al. 2008). While, these knowledge and practices exhibit a deep understanding and ability to cope with disasters through local actions, they are often undocumented and do not receive the importance that they deserve (Aalst and Burton, 2002). Keeping in mind how disasters have their greatest impact at the local level, the present work aims at documenting the indigenous knowledge conveyed formally and informally among kin groups and communities of both tribal and ethnic origins of the district of Dhemaji, Assam, through social encounters, oral traditions including folklore, folk songs and dances, ritualistic practices, and other activities. It is an enquiry on how community resilience is being maintained amidst Annual Monsoon Flood as a disaster with the existing Indigenous knowledge. By analysing the recent flood situation of the district, two of the most adversely affected villages are taken under study. The region is mainly drained by the River Jiadhal (‘Jia’ meaning Alive and ‘Dhal’ meaning river current with high velocity), which is known throughout the history of Assam as the liveliest of the north bank tributaries of the River Brahmaputra, with frequent channel shifting and high magnitude of flood. The region has also been the cradle of age old ethnic and tribal civilisations including the prominent indigenous communities, namely, the Sonowal Kacharis, the Mishings and the Tai-Ahoms. All of these communities, especially the Mishings have evolved to be “Noi-poria” or “Nadial” or “River-people”, who have mastered the art of living in riverine ecosystems. Thus, a detail account of the indigenous knowledge of these communities about their riverine environment, flood, adaptation, risk perception, and resilience would be observed, analysed, documented through interviews and focus group discussions. The integration of all of the observation would give us a total picture, the advantages, the disadvantages and the common grounds of traditional knowledge and capacity building through community based disaster resilience, by which the community and the local institutions can work together in shaping and reshaping their art of “living with floods”.
