Sustainable Future: Culture, Society, and Governance in Transition among the Mishing Tribe of Assam

Abstract This paper examines the interlinked transformations of culture, society, and governance among the Mishing tribe of Assam within the broader framework of sustainable development. Traditionally inhabiting the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, the Mishing have developed adaptive socio-ecological practices, cultural institutions, and governance mechanisms rooted in indigenous knowledge systems. However, contemporary challenges—ranging from climate change and river erosion to socio-economic integration, educational disparities, and governance restructuring—have significantly altered their lifeworlds. Drawing on secondary sources, ethnographic literature, and policy documents, the study analyzes how traditional cultural practices, social organization, and customary governance structures are negotiating change under modern institutional arrangements such as the Mising Autonomous Council. The paper argues that sustainability among the Mishing cannot be reduced to economic development alone but must incorporate cultural continuity, ecological knowledge, participatory governance, and social equity. By foregrounding indigenous perspectives and community-based adaptive strategies, the study highlights the need for culturally grounded development models that integrate tradition with innovation. The paper contributes to debates on tribal sustainability, governance autonomy, and indigenous resilience in Northeast India.