REVISITING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE A’CHIK INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF MEGHALAYA: A REVIEW

Abstract

One of the issues and problem in the harmonious existence of all the life forms on the earth planet was believed to be the extinction of traditional culture of the indigenous tribe that has a significance linked with natural environment. The two components nature-culture work together and lead to unique features. In line, culture is the set of knowledge, practices, idealism that guides human to associate with the natural environment. Thus, culture can be defined as one of the assets into the paramount of harmonious existence of all the creatures.
Coming to the A‟chik ethnic group of Meghalaya, like any other cultural groups of the North East, the A'chiks is very rich in their tradition and culture. Ethnically, for the A'chiks, the name itself is associated with natural environment. There was a historical narrative with regards to the origin and derivation of the name A‟chik. „A‟a‟ means „land‟ and „chik‟ means „hill‟. Thus, A‟chik means „hill‟ and „mande‟ means „man‟ or „hill man‟ (Mihir, 1995, p. 33). Thus, their association with nature was symbiotic and intimate. However, the impact of western culture and its associated aspects of modernity have greatly changed the tradition and culture of the A‟chik. The study is an attempt to give an insightful look into the A‟chik traditional cultural practices associated with natural environment. In view of the culture and tradition within the environment on the unprecedented ecological crisis in the name of development and modernity needs to look back and
examine how culture and tradition is linked to environment.
The study finding indicates that today one of the greatest challenges in the present global scenario was the crisis in environment on account of the globalization, the influence of modern culture, technological innovative, intermingling and cultural hegemony and hence the tribal cultures are on the way to extinction. The world is now engaged to search out means of tackle this grave catastrophe proves that our lives and practices have somehow gone astray. The natural resources are now subject to increasing destruction and reduction and even overgrazed out of existence. Hence, there was an urgent need to draw the attention of the mankind as well as culture and their environment in the era of modernization and globalization in the environmental degradation and climate changes.