Nativism and Tribal Ethos: Examining the Adi Life-World in The Legends of Pensam

Abstract

The Legends of Pensam is a novel written as a collection of short stories that depict the tribal life of the Adi tribe of the Siang Valley. It recounts stories from different generations, which become historical accounts of a specific tribe living in an area spanning Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet. The paper examines these short stories through a nativist approach, situating the text in its context and then analysing its cultural and regional affiliations. A nativist approach helps us to examine and understand the indigenous and local way of life without interference from any foreign critical framework. The paper will study the language, myths, and legends of different clans and tribal communities using nativist criticism, first propounded by Balchandra Nemade. Using Nativism as a critical tool will help preserve the essence of tribal life in literature, such as local terms, local food and practices.