SHILLONG, AUG 7: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday reviewed the progress of ‘Tracing the Roots’, an ambitious research initiative by the Department of Arts & Culture to study and document the history, language and heritage of Meghalaya’s indigenous communities.
In a meeting with the committee overseeing the project, the Chief Minister discussed the roadmap for implementation and the scope of research under the initiative.
‘Tracing the Roots’ will take a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together history, oral traditions, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, linguistics, archaeology, ethnography and modern scientific tools, including genetic studies where relevant.
The aim is to examine theories on the origins and migration of indigenous communities through evidence-based research.
The project will also record customary institutions, festivals, material culture and the status of languages.
A key component will be the creation of permanent digital archives to preserve this knowledge for future generations.
Dedicated digital platforms have already been set up to track research progress, store resources and enable public engagement.
Calling the initiative crucial for understanding the state’s heritage, Sangma said it will help build a strong, evidence-based record of Meghalaya’s indigenous traditions while safeguarding oral histories that are at risk of being lost.
Officials told the Chief Minister that groundwork has been underway since February, with research teams constituted and the project framework finalized.
The initiative will also see partnerships with leading national and international academic institutions for comparative studies in history, language and culture.
Outputs from the project will include scholarly publications, educational materials and a comprehensive digital repository.
The government said ‘Tracing the Roots’ is intended to preserve Meghalaya’s rich indigenous legacy through rigorous research, reinforce cultural identity, and create a lasting knowledge base for scholars, policymakers and coming generations.
