Tura: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has launched the ‘Tracing the Roots’ programme in Tura, an initiative aimed at scientifically researching and documenting the history, migration, culture and identity of the state’s indigenous communities.
The programme was launched at the District Auditorium in Tura on September 1, coinciding with the 79th birth anniversary of Sangma’s late father, Purno Agitok Sangma. The Chief Minister has described the initiative as a tribute to his father’s vision and a step towards preserving Meghalaya’s heritage for future generations.
According to Conrad Sangma, the idea behind the initiative grew from conversations he had with his father, who had emphasised the importance of scientifically establishing and recording the roots, historical movements and cultural traditions of Meghalaya’s indigenous people.
Sangma said that after carrying the idea for years, he decided around two years ago to turn those discussions into a structured programme of research. The initiative will focus on developing a deeper understanding of the origins and historical movements of the Garo, Khasi and Jaiñtia communities through multidisciplinary research.
The broader research programme will draw on areas including history, oral traditions, indigenous knowledge, linguistics, archaeology and archival studies. As part of the initiative, researchers will examine questions surrounding the origins and migration histories of Meghalaya’s indigenous communities.
Reports on the launch said 75 scholars are expected to travel to Vietnam, Cambodia and Tibet as part of the research programme. A Khasi-Jaiñtia research team will undertake a study titled “Ki Dienjat: Re-examining Khasi-Jaiñtia Socio-cultural Linkages with Southeast Asia,” while the Garo component will examine different theories concerning the community’s origins and historical movements.
A dedicated e-portal has also been launched to support the initiative by providing a platform for research data, digital archives, publications and collaboration.
The programme was launched in the presence of Meghalaya Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai and MLA Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma.
Conrad Sangma said the initiative is intended to go beyond academic research and help preserve the cultural identity and collective memory of Meghalaya’s communities. He described Tracing the Roots as an effort to reconnect present generations with their history while creating a documented knowledge base that can be carried forward for generations.
