This is the second part of my conversation with Jelle J. P. Wouters on his book In the Shadows of Naga Insurgency. In this episode, we talk about corruption and the practice of democratic election in Nagaland. 

We consider how mishandling of developmental funds and electoral malpractices might be better understood when seen as taking place "in the shadows of Naga insurgency." Jelle suggests that these phenomena are not as simplistic as they are often presented. Instead, gleaning from his ethnographic research findings, he recommends that we view Naga societies with all their issues and characteristics in light of what he calls, an insurgency complex. 

In the Shadows of Naga Insurgency: Tribes, State and Violence in Northeast India is published in 2018 by Oxford University Press, India.  

Jelle J. P. Wouters is a social anthropologist and currently is senior lecturer at Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan.  This is the second of a two part conversation with Jelle. 

#nagaland #naga #thecontemplativetribal #indiapodcast #northeastindia #nagalim

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Chao Ma, who talks about his research among Chinese American charismatic movements in the Los Angeles area of the USA. Super fun episode! Also a sneak peak to the kinds of research we dabble in at the Centre for the Studies of World Christianity in Edinburgh! 

We chat about the varieties and diversity of expressions of Christianity and discuss how charismatic movements are often (mistakenly) understood as cult or heretical due to their divergence. However, Chao points out that these Christian movements must be seen as within the bounds of Christianity and discuss the reasons why he thinks so. In comparison, we also talk about Chao's experience with the cult group known as Eastern Lightning. 

We close off exploring the differences between the diverse expressions and practices of Christianities and the pseudo-Christian cult groups such as Eastern Lightning. 

Chao points out the historic "three self" principle of Chinese Christianity: self-governing, self-propagating, self-supporting; and suggest that we also remember a fourth principle, namely self-theologising. Thanks Chao for a stimulating and inspiring episode and for sharing some of these exciting stories of local Christianities in China! 

Chao Ma's Socials:

#chinesechristianity #tribaltheology #northeastIndia #worldchristianity #CSWCEdinburgh 

This is a REPOST EPISODE of The Wooden Cross Podcast.

Few days back, I was a guest at The Wooden Cross podcast, hosted by Imlong Chang, who is podcasting from Tuensang, Nagaland. Thanks to Imlong for allowing me to repost the episode on this podcast. 

From the description (The Wooden Cross Podcast)

Episode Music Credit: A New Year by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au

A conversation with Nuam Hatzaw

A Rongmei Naga from Manipur, India & a Zomi from Chin State, Burma walks into a podcast episode in Edinburgh... 

In today's episode, I chat with Nuam and we talk about what Zomi identity means for her, and in the world today, especially in light of contemporary realities such as international and transnational migration, diaspora communities, advances in communication & technologies... along with a brief detour into some current trends in Southeast Asian studies and tribal studies of NE India. We touched on what it was like to grow up as a Zomi in the UK, and also chatted about the experiences of ethnic solidarity on one hand, and cultural differences on the other. 

Nuam is a PhD candidate at the Centre for the Study of World Christianity at the University of Edinburgh. She has a BA in anthropology & development studies from SOAS, University of London and MA from the Uni of Edinburgh. Her research interests include World Christianity, postcolonial feminist theology. anthropology, nationalism studies, and development studies.

For more on zomia concept:

Zomia: a term coined by historian Willem van Schendel in 2002, and expanded upon by James C. Scott in his recent book The Art of Not Being Governed: An Anarchist History of Upland Southeast Asia.

Episode Music Credit:

#thecontemplativetribal #edinburgh #cswcedinburgh #northeastindia #zomia #zomi #burma

In this episode, we continue where we left off in the last episode. This is part two of Flight from Finitude, so make sure you check that episode before listening in on this one. In wrapping up the discussion that moved from Christopher Lasch, to ideas by British sociologist, Geoffrey Gorer in his provocative article, titled, "The Pornography of Death." 

Finally, we explore some practical, theological and philosophical tips on how we might go about redressing or addressing the problem of aversion towards our limited-ness, finitude, ageing and ultimately towards death. 

Resources:

"PSYCHOANALYSIS CONFIRMS THE ANCIENT RELIGIOUS INSIGHT THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ACHIEVE HAPPINESS IS TO ACCEPT LIMITATIONS IN A SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE AND CONTRITION INSTEAD OF ATTEMPTING TO ANNUL THOSE LIMITATIONS OR BITTER RESENTING THEM." Christopher Lasch, The Culture of Narcissism (1979)

Leave a comment and join the conversation. At the WordPress site. Alternatively, you can drop a comment or message on Instagram.

#thecontemplativetribal #indiapodcast #tribalpodcast #tribal #christopherlasch #cultureofnarcissism #manipur #northeastindia

Episode Music Credit:

It is no secret that we live in a time that prioritises strength, beauty, vigour and youthfulness. In such a world that values and worships progress & productivity, our own limitedness is a reality that strikes us with anxiety and fear. We want to stay forever young, 18 till I die, and never grow up. Apparently, our attitudes towards aging are not accidental. They are possibly influenced by a disorientation of our values and the failure to accept key points about our human condition. 

In this episode, I talk about modern/contemporary aversion towards age and growing old--the inevitable but dreaded reality of gaining years that is universal for everyone.  We explore the roots of the 'culture of narcissism' and reflect on my own experiences of modern as well as traditional tribal societies, and compare their attitude towards aging. 

Drawing insights from Christopher Lasch's "The Culture of Narcissism" (1979), Geoffrey Gorer's "The Pornography of Death" (1955), Abigail Rian Evans' "Is God still at the Bedside?" and William F. May's "Sacral Power of Death." 

Leave a comment and join the conversation. At the WordPress site. Alternatively, you can drop a comment or message on Instagram. 

#thecontemplativetribal #indiapodcast #tribalpodcast #tribal #christopherlasch #cultureofnarcissism #manipur #northeastindia

Episode Music Credit:

In this episode, I reflect on the movie, Arrival (2016) and themes explored in the movie: language, communication and the uknown/the other.  This is a hobbyist take on the themes mentioned above, and I invite your comments on what you think about it.  Cheers!

Arrival (2016)

“If you could see your whole life from start to finish, would you change things? Despite knowing the journey and where it leads, I embrace it. And I welcome every moment of it.” Dr Louise Banks, Arrival.

For more in-depth commentary, check out the YouTube links:

Lera Boroditsky on TED talk:  How language shapes the way we think

Quick intro to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis:

Nerdwriter1 | commentary on Arrival

Like Stories of Old | commentary on Arrival

Finally, we can't do Arrival without "On the Nature of Daylight" by Max Richter, can we.

Episode Music Credit:

#thecontemplativetribal #northeastindia #tribalpodcast #indigenouslanguage #naga #manipur #rongmei

Today's episode is a candid conversation and reflection on Change, Transitions and Courage with Azeena Pamei Marak, who joined me all the way from Laos, in Southeast Asia. 

We talk about how sometimes we go through unexpected turns in our life that pulls us away--sometimes painfully--from our dreams. If we're all honest, I think we have all gone through that experience one time or another in our lives.

I hope this episode encourages your heart and motivates you to be brave as you navigate the wide open sea of your life. To make the most of your life, even when you find yourself in a strange place. All you have got is here. All you have got is now. 

Links-

Khuairu Nri: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1fydbumgDo

Azeena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azeenapamei/

#thecontemplativetribal #northeastindia #indiapodcast