Williamnagar, Aug 8: The Departments of Sociology and History, Loyola College, Williamnagar, organised a One-Day International Symposium on the theme “Decolonising Research: Looking at the History of Folklore Research” on Thursday.
The event was conducted for the benefit of students, aiming to deepen their understanding of research, colonial legacies, and the significance of preserving indigenous knowledge systems.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. William Westerman, from New Jersey City University, USA, an expert in folklore, oral history, and migration studies. In his insightful talk, Prof. Westerman spoke on how colonial frameworks have influenced the way folklore has been studied, and stressed the need to adopt decolonised, community-based approaches to research.
He also emphasised the importance of learning as a joyful, shared process—not confined to the classroom. According to him, students learn best when they learn with and from one another, through active participation, discussion, and reflection. His message that learning can be fun, engaging, and happen anywhere deeply resonated with the audience.
The lecture was followed by a group discussion and interactive session where students expressed their thoughts and raised meaningful questions. A key highlight was the discussion on the importance of establishing a Garo Community Museum to preserve and promote the community’s folklore, cultural heritage, and traditional knowledge.
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