Preserving the whole: Oral traditions that anchor identity in the face of modernity

Abstract (English)

The Aos depend on their oral tradition to weave through the tangible and intangible dimensions of their cosmos. Like a lot of other indigenous cultures around the world that rely on oral tradition, the preservation of cultural heritage and identity surrounding the tribe necessitates a holistic understanding of the intricate relationship between the two. This paper tries to explore this dynamic by delving into the ways in which oral culture both shapes and is shaped by the living traditions passed down through generations. This includes exploring how oral tradition serves as vital anchors for the transmission and remembrance of intangible cultural heritage, including narratives, practices, and collective memory.
Situating this conversation in an interdisciplinary framework, the paper aims to examine the shifts that disrupted this continuity as the tribe shifts from tradition to modernity. This transition did not merely alter how traditions were practiced; they reconfigured memory itself, resulting in a spiritual and psychological malaise. In the fabric of these changes lie threads of tension: between what is remembered within the community and what is recorded outside of it, between what adapts and what resists change, and the question of who preserves these memories and how.
Furthermore, it considers the challenges and opportunities in preserving this intertwined heritage in the face of contemporary societal shifts, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches that recognize the symbiotic relationship between what can be seen and touched and what is carried in the voices and memories of a community.