Cultural Landscapes and Museums: Linkage for Preserving Indigenous Culture and Community Engagement in North-east India

Abstract

Indigenous communities are not passive subjects of display but active collaborators in heritage preservation. Cultural landscapes should be documented not just as static sites but also as evolving spaces of identity negotiation. This article identifies critical challenges faced in museums regarding appropriate representation, absence of indigenous curatorial voices, linkages with cultural landscapes, limited community participation and marginalization of narratives due to various social agents, namely conversion, migration, etc. Cultural landscapes of Karbi and Mishing tribes face threats due to urbanization, migration and changing religious affiliations. The study argues about museums’ role as sociocultural institutions, engaged in inclusive display and shared custodianship.