Guiding myths

today, western science is contrasted with superstition and the occult, and scientists with primitive people. Western science is even contrasted with the sciences of ancient Indian and Chinese civilisations as if oriental science existed only in the past; and as if western science has not derived anything from them. Western science seems to dominate all scientific activity and claims to monopolise logic, rigour and rationality in all knowledge-acquiring processes. Anything outside its purview becomes non-science.

It is seldom realised that traditional knowledge systems preserve the wisdom gained through millennia of experience, direct observation, and word of mouth. Development projects based on technoscience, or western science, are pushing the traditional knowledge systems towards extinction. This traditional wisdom of humankind needs to be preserved and used for our own survival.The United Nations University (1990's) proposal says, "Traditional knowledge or 'local knowledge' is a record of human achievement in comprehending the complexities of life and survival in often unfriendly environment. Traditional knowledge, which may be technical, social, organisational or cultural, was obtained as part of the great human experiment of survival and development."

Coming from Almora, I am acquainted with Kumauni folklore. There are numerous references where appearance of particular birds and flowering of particular plants are taken as markers of new seasons. The effects of winds of a particular direction are predicted. Snowfall on wheat fields is considered good for the crop. Time is accurately determined through observation of stars.

In the Nanda folklore (Anthu), curses and blessings on the pine and the oak are basically descriptions of the respective ecological properties of these trees. The severity of winter snowfall is predicted by observing which part of the tree - top, middle or bottom - the crow makes its nest. In Kumauni folk medicine, the semen of a local fish (Schizothorax) is considered a potent medicine for leucoderma, which, in allopathy, is an incurable disease.

Even geological observations are not a monopoly of modern western science. There are numerous examples of accurate geological observations in the garb of legends and myths. The geological history of the Kashmir Valley - of the vast sea that was formed and was drained out by the Jhelum - is recorded in the Nilmata Purana as the fights between the gods and the demons. Similarly, the braiding of the Satluj is recorded in the story of Vashishta trying to commit suicide and the river breaking into hundreds of channels - hence called Shatadru.

The recession of the sea is recorded in the legend of Parashuram who threw his parasu to push back the sea. It is obvious that humans were around and observed such geological phenomena. They transmitted their knowledge to posterity by word of mouth, garbed in the form of legends and myths.
Folk knowledge in the West Ward Goodenough has reported about the navigational skills of the atoll dwellers in the islands of Micronesia. He says, "Several things stand out about Carolinian navigational knowledge. It contains a massive amount of discrete information, which, in the absence of writing and reference books, has to be committed to memory."

In Canada, scientists who study the Arctic region, have now realised the value and validity of Inuit science. Bielawski finds that the most significant difference between the western, Arctic, and the Inuit sciences is that in the latter humans have a specific place in nature and are inseparable from nature, while Arctic science does not. One has to remember that the Inuit knowledge is formed through 'doing', 'hearing about it' and 'being there' - all interactive and personalised forms of knowledge transmission.

Thus, folk knowledge and systems can be very demanding on human mental faculties, as also very elaborate, logical, and rational - no less than western science. But western science need not judge these knowledge systems with its own yardstick. Folk knowledge was generated through millennia of observation and experimentation, trial and error, and is a more eco-friendly system of knowledge, in which humans are a part of nature as nature is part of their being. And therefore, in this system, there is no exploitation of nature but a symbiotic relationship with it.

An ancient land, India is rich in folk culture and traditional knowledge systems. These knowledge systems need to be studied, documented and preserved, before they are lost under the onslaught of western science and development projects.

Subscribe to Daily Newsletter :

SUPPORT US

We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.