TRADITIONAL FORMS OF RECREATION AS COPING AMONG THE TRIBALS OF EAST KHASI HILLS, MEGHALAYA, INDIA
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Abstract
The objective of this study is “the traditional forms of recreation being used for relaxation among the Khasi tribal population of Meghalaya” Using a purposive sampling method thirteen experienced community elders participated in this study to identify the existing traditional forms of recreation among the Khasis in East Khasi Hills. The elders were identified purposely based on years of experience, expertise in the form of recreation, recommendations from other elders of the community, and involvement in the recreation. In-depth interviews and Photography methods were used to collect the data to document the traditional forms of recreation. Some of the approaches that were used during the interviews include a pre-interview discussion, an interview guide, and exploration descriptive. A thematic analysis was used to determine how the traditional forms of recreation help in the coping process. Using the pictures, the traditional forms of recreation were also documented. interviewed 13 community elders who shared the following forms of recreation.
Results shown that the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya among other tribes in India has been preserving traditional identities and languages by resisting the change of other dominant cultures. Cultural leisure is more effective in making people from a particular community believe that this leisure help with their well-being. As indigenous peoples, there are certain traditional practices that may have been a form of life in coping to help with everyday living. Identifying these traditional practices and documenting them becomes important hence, this study aims at identifying recreation at the traditional local level and documenting them. Recreation in East Khasi Hills is mostly categorized under games, sports, music, hobbies, and social events. There is evidence of the practice of traditional recreation such as fishing, hunting, gathering, games, social events, and other modern leisure.
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