Indian Tribal Narratives: Retracing History and Culture

Abstract

Culture, a term with abstract meanings, can highlight Eastern culture's perceived spirituality over Western culture. Indian culture, with a 5000-year history, is captivating, blending adaptability and indigenous values. This paper focuses on ethnic life representation in Indian literature, especially through tribal communities. Novels by tribal authors serve as a platform, analyzing ethnicity in socio-cultural and historical contexts. Literature offers insight into lives, experiences, and teachings, shedding light on marginalized indigenous populations seeking recognition. Emerging literature lets indigenous ethnicities represent dynamic cultures and reclaim hidden histories. The paper's primary objective is to discuss the socio-political and cultural significance of tribal literature. It accomplishes this by analyzing tribal narratives from Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh, featuring works by authors like Narayan and Mamang Dai. These narratives delve into tribal identity and their struggles within the mainstream system. The paper provides an insightful examination of tribal life and society in these regions, as portrayed by these authors.