The Eternal Nature Of Stone: Oral Narratives And Megalithic Traditions Among The Karbi Tribe Of Kamrup Metropolitan District Of Assam

Abstract

This paper explores the oral narratives and belief systems surrounding the megalithic traditions of the Karbi people in the Kamrup Metropolitan District of Assam. The Karbi tribe hold a deep-rooted belief in the eternal and unchanging nature of stone, viewing it as the most enduring element in the natural world. The study employs a qualitative ethnographic methodology, drawing upon fieldwork that includes interviews with Karbi elders and participation in local rituals. It aims to explore the Karbi belief in the eternal nature of stone through oral narratives, and to study how these oral beliefs and traditions shape and sustain their megalithic practices. A review of relevant literature highlights that while archaeological and historical studies have documented megalithic sites in Northeast India, few have examined the living oral traditions that continue to inform their meaning and function in contemporary indigenous life. The paper concludes that the Karbi megalithic tradition is best understood not only through its physical structures but through the rich oral narratives that surround and animate it. This study underscores the importance of integrating oral history and indigenous knowledge into anthropological approaches to material culture.