Sankardev College hosts seminar and exhibition on Meghalaya's cultural heritage
The two-day event in Shillong aimed to turn traditional knowledge into opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and cultural preservation.
Sankardev College held a two-day international seminar and exhibition on November 11 and 12 to showcase Meghalaya’s cultural heritage, according to The Shillong Times. The event, themed ‘Indigenous Knowledge as Living Heritage: Preserving Arts, Crafts, Traditions and Community Practices’, featured traditional Khasi delicacies, handmade crafts, Eri silk, and indigenous music.
Art and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai inaugurated the event at the college auditorium on Wednesday. Shullai said traditional crafts and indigenous products have potential to reach national and international markets if they receive institutional support, proper platforms, and marketing opportunities.
The Minister also described indigenous languages as a valuable inheritance that carries ancestral wisdom and cultural identity. He noted that such exhibitions could help local artisans connect with potential buyers and explore new business opportunities.
Sankardev College principal Dr Eureka P. Lyngdoh said the institution is integrating indigenous knowledge into academic and vocational programmes. The college has introduced a certificate course in indigenous food items, including Khasi delicacies like putharo and pumaloi, and offers Khasi traditional music as a vocational course under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The exhibition included Eri silk products from Umden and other parts of Meghalaya. Lyngdoh said many indigenous products struggle for wider market recognition despite their commercial potential.
The seminar included lectures on topics such as Jaintia folk medicine, Khasi-Pnar civilisation, and ecological sustainability. The programme was supported by the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation Ltd and the Meghalaya Co-operative Apex Bank Ltd.