Living library at Meghalaya’s Raibah aims to revive indigenous wisdom verbally

Shillong: In a bid to rekindle indigenous knowledge systems rooted in environmental awareness and community-driven learning, a newly inaugurated ‘living library’ at Raibah village in Meghalaya’s South West Khasi district stands as a transformative initiative.Spearheaded by academic and cultural collaborators, it reimagines education as a participatory journey — where stories, traditions, and ecological wisdom meet to inspire future generations.The departments of social work and Khasi from Captain Williamson Sangma State University (CWSSU), Shillong Campus, in collaboration with the department of music, Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), inaugurated the library on Nov 1.The library will serve as a space for sharing indigenous stories, ecological wisdom, and community-based learning through oral traditions, performances, and participatory education.Themed ‘A Step in Futurity’, the inauguration reflected the vision of “reimagining libraries as living, breathing spaces”.“The Raibah Living Library stands as a pioneering rural initiative that celebrates the idea that stories enliven knowledge — bridging generations through dialogue, creativity, and learning rooted in place and people,” CWSSU stated in a release on Sunday.

“The first storytelling session featured an oral history presentation by Meirit Wissila Snaitang and Esbilin Snaitang, who shared a compelling narrative on Sngap Sing Syiem, the legendary Khasi freedom fighter. Their account immersed the audience in the richness of local heritage, illustrating how storytelling continues to shape collective memory and identity,” the statement read.A short drama performance by the department of Khasi highlighted the dynamic interplay between cultural expression and academic learning.

The event also included the screening of a documentary film chronicling the journey toward the inauguration of the Raibah Living Library and the TALES (Tangible Active Learning & Engagement Scaffolds) initiative. The film underscored the library’s role in promoting education, cultural continuity, and ecological awareness.Students from Raibah Govt Upper and Lower Primary Schools, along with Tlongpleng School, enlivened the session with songs and performances.The celebrations concluded with musical renditions by MLCU’s department of music and artist Chosterfield Khongwir. His songs — rooted in Khasi folk traditions and everyday rural life — resonated with TALES’ vision of bridging academic learning with lived realities.“Through his lyrics and melodies, Khongwir celebrates the landscape, language, and values of Khasi society. In the context of the Raibah Living Library, his performance served as a living archive of oral knowledge, transforming music into a medium of storytelling and intergenerational dialogue,” the statement added.