VIRTUAL: Prague Heritages
Abstract
It is not merely the dexterity of the hand or the focus of a calm mind. Neither is it solely about the aim, the precision, or the number of shots. It is about all of that simultaneously, and infinitely more. It is about the experience in totality as a part of a cultural phenomenon, that is thrilling, anxious, expectant, and fascinating, all at the same time. Organized to date regularly, in and around Shillong, Meghalaya, the gambling sport of Thoh Tim, also known as the Teer, is a mesmerizing amalgamation of archery – the traditional sport of Meghalaya, gambling – one of the oldest forms of entertainment, and dream analysis. The current work is a case study by a group of students pursuing Postgraduation in Folkloristics at the Department of Cultural and Creative Studies, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong of Thoh Tim that is played regularly in the capital city of Shillong. The current work primarily looks at this cultural phenomenon through the lens of folklore and cultural continuity via the performance. Starting from buying the tickets at the counter which is touted to be based on the Khasi version of dream interpretation, to shooting arrows by the archers, to the final counting of the points. The case study navigates the sustenance of this cultural phenomenon by reading and attempting to realize some of it holistically, using the following folkloristic lenses – the psychoanalytical aspect, the performative aspect, the aspect of gender roles, and the transcendence between its Intangible and the tangible aspects. That sustains the heritage and identity of the ‘folk’ amid globalization.
Abhirup always aspired to be a storyteller as they believe that stories provide the best and the most natural way to understand, acknowledge, and sustain different cultures and thereby, humanity. Having completed their Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Pune University, they did their Post-Graduation in English Literature from Christ University, Bengaluru. Having worked for two years after their post-graduation owing to Covid, they resumed their academic endeavor. Currently, pursuing M.A. in Folkloristics at North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, training to be a Folklorist.
Prequeendalin Tynsiar was born on 27th October 1998 in Meghalaya, India. She did her Schooling at St.Margeret’s Hr Sec School, Shillong, and graduated from St. Edmunds College Shillong with a Khasi Literature major. After her graduation, she is currently pursuing her Postgraduation in Folkloristic at North Eastern Hill University Shillong, Meghalaya.
Gilbert Sangriang was born on 24th June 1997 in Meghalaya. Among the seven siblings, he is the fifth child. He studied at St. Paul, Umdohlun, around 4 km from his village. After third grade, he moved to study at St. John Bosco secondary school in his village, Mawpat, Meghalaya. He completed his senior secondary schooling in Mawlai, Shillong. In 2017 he went to Dimapur, Nagaland to pursue an under-graduation in English literature. Upon completion, he taught in Savio Juniorate, Shillong for two years. During the course of teaching, he was inspired to be a folklorist. He is therefore pursuing M.A in Folkloristics at NEHU, Shillong.
F. Lalrinpuia a student of the Department of Sociology from St Edmunds College, Shillong is now pursuing Masters in Culture and Creative Studies (Folkloristic), North Eastern Hill University as he finds his interest in the culture, the traditions and practices and especially, the oral narrative that was passed down from generation to the next, like the Myths, Legends, folktales and many more. His interest in such began after his mom bought him the book “Folktales of Mizoram” By Laltluangliana K back in the fall of 2016 and realized the need to preserve one’s tradition as a tribal who is very insecure about their identity among the other Indians.
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Wednesday 28th June, 2023