Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) Press will be launching four of its publications, in commemoration of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development which is celebrated on May 21.
This event will be held at MLCU, Nongrah campus, Shillong, from 10 am onwards and will feature books that are in line with the theme of culture and traditions of Meghalaya.
The four books and their authors are ‘Khasi Ethics’ by Barnes L. Mawrie, ‘Ha Yupiam Ka Bei’ by Amabel Susngi, ‘Waiting for an Equal World: Gender in India’s North East (2nd Edition)’ by Patricia Mukhim, ‘Tribal Health and Wellbeing in Meghalaya, India’ by MLCU Faculties.
‘Khasi Ethics’ is a treasure trove of cultural knowledge about the Khasi way of life.The author delves into the personal and social ethics and their relevance in Khasi society. Although society continues to be transformed, the Khasi ethical code of conduct still continues to guide the community.
‘Ha Yupiam Ka Bei’ is a collection of traditional Khasi lullabies curated to be sung in the dialects of Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi. The book contains staff notations, the English translation of the lyrics, as well as QR codes that are linked to the recordings of each lullaby.
‘Waiting for an Equal World: Gender in India’s North East’ is a compilation of the articles and editorials written by Patricia Mukhim in newspapers and magazines and papers presented at academic and professional meetings. It is the outpouring of thoughts, ideas and analysis from a woman activist and writer whose reportage and commentary has emerged from the heartbeat of tribal grassroots and the ground zero of political and social activity. The book is meant to reach out to social activists, political scientists, community-centred academicians and all those who have concern for gender equality. In this second edition, the author has incorporated a section on the recent conflict situation in Manipur, depicting how ethnic violence has been inscribed on the bodies of women.
‘Tribal Health and Wellbeing in Meghalaya’ is an outcome of a project entitled, ‘Creation of a Curriculum on The Health of Indigenous and Tribal Communities: Meghalaya’ funded by Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, Germany. It has been curated as an information and learning model for organisations and communities in Meghalaya, and also possibly serves as a prototype for other tribal communities who may want to replicate the same for themselves. The target group for this curriculum is students of social sciences, psychology and counselling, health sciences, environment, and cultural studies. It may also be useful for voluntary and government organisations working in indigenous and tribal communities.
