From “my research” to “our research”: moving toward titi as an Indigenous method in Mizo research

Abstract

Mizos (an Indigenous community in North-East India) have a form of communication called titi (conversation based on looking out for one another and laughing together). In Mizo academia, there have not been attempts made to establish titi as a Mizo Indigenous method. This article aims to situate titi as a Mizo Indigenous method by locating it within the Mizo Indigenous Paradigm through the Mizo Indigenous Standpoint. Indigenous scholars have stated how relationality sums up the Indigenous Paradigm. This article further looks at the roots of relationality by exploring the values and ethics of Indigenous communities as something that creates a special bond in the research process through titi. In doing this, it also looks at the Mizo Indigenous worldview through humor. In this way, we argue that Mizo Indigenous peoples feel accountable to the research, thereby making participants feel like the research belongs to them and acting like researchers themselves.