Volume-XI, Issue-IV, July 2025 |
Tools of Tradition: Material Culture in Hmar Shifting Cultivation of Assam Lily Ngurte, Research Scholar, Department of History, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India |
Received: 24.07.2025 | Accepted: 26.07.2025 | Published Online: 31.07.2025 | Page No: | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.11.issue.04W.114 | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
The Hmar community of Assam has traditionally relied on Jhum (shifting) cultivation for their livelihood. They cultivate a diverse range of crops such as rice, maize, cucumber, honeydew melon, sesame, cotton, mustard, brinjal, winged beans, kidney beans, sugarcane, pumpkin, and others, depending on seasonal cycles. Central to their agricultural practice is the use of indigenous tools, which they craft themselves using locally available materials like bamboo, wood, and iron. These tools not only serve functional purposes but also represent the rich material culture of the Hmars. Over generations, they have maintained and passed down the knowledge of tool-making and usage as an integral part of their cultural identity. However, in recent times, the increasing use of modern technological devices has led to a decline in the use of traditional agricultural tools. This study explores the significance of these tools in Hmar shifting cultivation, highlighting their cultural value and the pressing need to preserve them. Sustaining these traditional implements is essential to safeguarding the broader heritage and identity of the Hmar people. Keywords: Hmar, Material Culture, Shifting cultivation, Tools, Assam |