Amplifying Arunachal Pradesh’s Folklore through Socialmedia: A Digital Revival

Abstract

Arunachal Pradesh is home to 26 major tribes with numerous sub tribes as well. Each tribe has a glorious heritage of rich folklore in the form of enchanting folksongs, folktales, legends, myths, arts and crafts. Traditionally, this form of knowledge has been passed down to the next generation orally as for most of the tribes there is an absence of script. With the passing of time and with the progress in technology slowly Radio and Television made its way to the households of Arunachal Pradesh where occasionally some of these folklores were showcased or aired through these modes of communication. But not every household could afford these small luxuries of the time and also with the setting up of the formal institutions of knowledge the orally rich traditions faced a setback as the younger generation focused more on formal schooling. As a result, the younger generation now is often unaware of the rich traditions practiced by their ancestors. They struggle to understand and decode the meanings of the folklores, lagging behind in appreciating their cultural heritage in the present times. Here social media steps in as crucial tool for preserving and educating the younger generation in understanding and appreciating their aged old oral traditions. Hence, the paper will attempt to showcase how social media plays a crucial role to revitalize and preserve the cultural heritage, ensuring that the wisdom and values of the past are passed down to future generations in an accessible and engaging way. Also suggesting a way forward on how further efforts can be enhanced to preserve these rich oral traditions.