Oral narratives as historical sources: Reconstructing the pre-literate History of Arunachal Pradesh

Writing the early history of Arunachal Pradesh presents particular challenges because most indigenous communities of the region did not maintain written records prior to the colonial period. Consequently, historical understanding has relied largely on colonial administrative documents, travel accounts, and ethnographic studies produced by outsiders. While these sources are valuable, they often reflect external viewpoints and provide only partial insights into local societies. This paper examines the significance of oral narratives as historical sources for reconstructing the pre-literate past of Arunachal Pradesh. Drawing upon myths, legends, migration narratives, clan genealogies, ritual chants, and folk songs preserved among indigenous communities, it argues that oral traditions function as organised systems of historical memory rather than as mere folklore. Using insights from oral history scholarship and an interdisciplinary approach, the study discusses both the possibilities and limitations of oral narratives. It suggests that incorporating oral traditions is essential for developing a more inclusive, community-centred, and decolonised understanding of the region’s past.