Memory and oral history in ethnic assertion: Case of karbi's in Kamrup, Assam, India

Oral tradition reproduced by remembrance or memory is one of the central concerns of folkloric study that deals with the lost history of community. This paradigm shift in the historical approach resulted into the democratization of history especially where written historical text is absent. Karbi is one of the most significant communities of Assam living since generations. Basic concentration of this colourful tribe living in Kamrup district is found at Dimoria, the present study area. In spite of having frequent mention of Dimoria in the medieval historical text, Dimoria or the Karbi community doesn't have its own historical writing. Ethnic movement by the Karbi community for better livelihood has been prominently observed since around two decades. To legitimize their demand they use oral evidence in the form of Legend, ballads, song and so on. Present endeavor is to study such oral evidences with historical importance, which has been collected through oral historical methodology. It has been found that this source has been successful in making a consensus among the community that they are the autochthones of Dimoria kingdom.