V3I9P22

Orature as Cultural Resistance: Negotiating Banjara Identity in a Changing World

Dr. Badavath Veeru^1*

Abstract

Banjara orature constitutes a vital repository of collective memory, cultural knowledge, and indigenous identity, transmitted across generations through songs, stories, narratives, proverbs, rituals, and performances. In the context of rapid social transformation, globalization, migration, formal education, and linguistic change, these oral traditions face the threat of marginalization and gradual cultural loss. Yet, Banjara orature continues to function not merely as an expression of tradition but as a powerful form of cultural resistance through which the community remembers its past, articulates its values, and negotiates its identity in the present.

This article examines Banjara oral traditions as dynamic cultural practices that preserve historical memory, social values, communal experiences, and indigenous worldviews. It particularly explores how oral songs, narratives, and performative traditions sustain a sense of belonging while responding to changing social and cultural realities. The study argues that Banjara orature challenges the dominance of written literary traditions by demonstrating that knowledge, history, and identity can be preserved and transmitted through the living voice of a community. Drawing upon perspectives on orality, cultural memory, indigenous identity, and resistance, the article interprets Banjara orature as a living archive that connects generations and reinforces cultural continuity. It further highlights the significance of documenting and revitalizing these traditions to safeguard Banjara cultural heritage in the contemporary world. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that Banjara orature is not simply a remnant of the past but an evolving medium through which cultural identity is remembered, reaffirmed, and renegotiated.

Keywords:

Banjara, Orature, Tribal Identity, Cultural Resistance, Oral Tradition, Cultural Memory, Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Heritage, Identity Negotiation, Orality