Kincentric ecologies nurture ideas of embodied selfhood by defining human identities and relations as an integral part of the ecosystem. Kinship with nature is a form of “total interconnectedness” (Salmon 2000, 1328) that considers relationships “not only with our immediate biological family” (Martinez 2008) but also with “plants and animals out in the natural world” (Martinez 2008). Ecological kinship, in the Anthropocene (the present era that is marked by human dominance in the planetary processes), formulates a “natural contract” (Serres 1995, 38) that deconstructs dominant structures of the species exclusivity of the human race. This ‘totemic worldview’ rejects the hierarchical ways of perceiving nature and establishes a uniquely rhizomatic and traditional perspective of multispecies relations.

My research attempts to establish kincentric ecologies as an affective theoretical-praxis-oriented approach that engages with the idea of ‘natural contract’ to conceptualize a new form of ecocentric discourse. The new approach focuses on reconfiguring the relationship between humans and their surrounding environment by substituting the ideas of land ownership and possession with stewardship and reverence.

This seminar talk will focus on literary narratives of Angami (indigenous hill tribe) Naga writer Easterine Kire to explore how the evolution of a “new literature” (Ao 2007, 109) that is “rich in indigenous flavour” (Ao 2007, 109) is inspired by oral stories and folktales of the Naga tribal communities. The ‘new’ literature demonstrates how indigenous ethics and earth-centric stewardship can aid in the advocacy of a core value-oriented pro-environmental consciousness that counteracts the overwhelming impact of human utilitarianism in the 21st century. My research also explores kincentric ecologies as a significant heart-based approach that attempts to reclaim the lost dialogues with nature. The affective connections or kinships incorporated in the understanding of heart-based ecologies encourage the emergence of a strong and assertive “emotional force” (Andersson 1996 viii) that shapes the human perception of the environment. My research attempts to valorize heart-centric conceptualizations of the human-nature bond as a vital framework and functional tool in comprehending the "relational total field" (Naess 1973, 95) of the culture-nature continuum.





References:



Anderson, E. N. Ecologies of the Heart: Emotion, Belief, and the Environment. United States: Oxford University Press, 1996.



Ao, Temsula. 2007. “Writing Orality.” In Orality and Beyond: A North-East Indian Perspective, 88-98. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi.



Naess, Arne. 1973. “The shallow and the deep, long‐range ecology movement. A summary.” Inquiry 16:95-100. 10.1080/00201747308601682.



Salmon, Enrique. 2000. “Kincentric Ecology: Indigenous Perceptions of the Human–Nature Relationship.” Ecological Applications 10, no. 5 (October): 1327-1332. DOI: 10.2307/2641288.



Serres, Michel. 1995. The Natural Contract. United States of America: University of Michigan Press.