The Contemplative Tribal Podcast

Rathiulung KC
The Contemplative Tribal Podcast

Grab a cup of red tea. Let's talk. Issues, events, ideas, practices from the perspective of tribal life of NE India. Hosted by Rathiulung Elias KC Hosted by @rathiulung

  1. Money, Votes & the Insurgency Complex | Jelle Wouters

    24/10/2020

    Money, Votes & the Insurgency Complex | Jelle Wouters

    This is the second part of my conversation with Jelle J. P. Wouters on his book In the Shadows of Naga Insurgency. In this episode, we talk about corruption and the practice of democratic election in Nagaland.  We consider how mishandling of developmental funds and electoral malpractices might be better understood when seen as taking place "in the shadows of Naga insurgency." Jelle suggests that these phenomena are not as simplistic as they are often presented. Instead, gleaning from his ethnographic research findings, he recommends that we view Naga societies with all their issues and characteristics in light of what he calls, an insurgency complex.  In the Shadows of Naga Insurgency: Tribes, State and Violence in Northeast India is published in 2018 by Oxford University Press, India.   Jelle J. P. Wouters is a social anthropologist and currently is senior lecturer at Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan.  This is the second of a two part conversation with Jelle.  #nagaland #naga #thecontemplativetribal #indiapodcast #northeastindia #nagalim

    20 min
  2. In the Shadows of Naga Insurgency | Jelle JP Wouters

    16/10/2020

    In the Shadows of Naga Insurgency | Jelle JP Wouters

    In this episode, I talk with Jelle J. P. Wouters about his book, “In the Shadows of Naga Insurgency: Tribes, State and Violence in Northeast India, published in 2018 by Oxford University Press, India.  Jelle is a social anthropologist and currently is senior lecturer at Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan.  The conversation with Jelle is split into two episodes. This is the first one. Do look out for the next one! (Description of the book from Amazon.in) The book is "a critique of the Naga struggle for political redemption, the state’s response to it, and the social corollaries and carry-overs of protracted political conflict on everyday life. Offering an ethnographic under view, Jelle Wouters illustrates an ‘insurgency complex’ that reveals how embodied experiences of resistance and state aggression, violence and volatility, and struggle and suffering link together to shape social norms, animate local agitations, and complicate inter-personal and inter-tribal relations in expected and unexpected ways. The book locates the historical experiences and agency of the Naga people and relates these to ordinary villagers’ perceptions, actions, and moral reasoning vis-à-vis both the Naga Movement and the state and its lucrative resources. It thus presses us to rethink our views on tribalism, conflict and ceasefire, development, corruption, and democratic politics." #nagaland #naga #thecontemplativetribal #indiapodcast #northeastindia #nagalim

    27 min
  3. Growing Local | on Chinese Christianity

    09/10/2020

    Growing Local | on Chinese Christianity

    In this episode, I continue my conversation with Chao Ma, who talks about his research among Chinese American charismatic movements in the Los Angeles area of the USA. Super fun episode! Also a sneak peak to the kinds of research we dabble in at the Centre for the Studies of World Christianity in Edinburgh!  We chat about the varieties and diversity of expressions of Christianity and discuss how charismatic movements are often (mistakenly) understood as cult or heretical due to their divergence. However, Chao points out that these Christian movements must be seen as within the bounds of Christianity and discuss the reasons why he thinks so. In comparison, we also talk about Chao's experience with the cult group known as Eastern Lightning.  We close off exploring the differences between the diverse expressions and practices of Christianities and the pseudo-Christian cult groups such as Eastern Lightning.  Chao points out the historic "three self" principle of Chinese Christianity: self-governing, self-propagating, self-supporting; and suggest that we also remember a fourth principle, namely self-theologising. Thanks Chao for a stimulating and inspiring episode and for sharing some of these exciting stories of local Christianities in China!  Chao Ma's Socials: Twitter World Christianity with Chao (a great YouTube channel in which he introduces some in-depth theologies from World Christianity!) #chinesechristianity #tribaltheology #northeastIndia #worldchristianity #CSWCEdinburgh

    29 min
  4. The Lesser-Known Histories of Christianity | Chao Ma

    25/09/2020

    The Lesser-Known Histories of Christianity | Chao Ma

    This episode is a conversation with Chao Ma, a fellow researcher here at Edinburgh. He joins me from San Diego virtually to discuss an idea that we're both passionate about: Christianity, since its very beginnings, has experienced an outward movement, expanding into many parts of the world. The non-Western forms developed, matured, and indigenised apart from Western influence. They remain an important part of countless peoples' lives, yet are often underappreciated by students of Western church history. To illustrate this thesis, we briefly recount the lesser-known histories of Christianity in the non-western world—East of Judea, North Africa, India and China. It is important to mention that these strands of Christianities emerged and developed quite distinct from the western counterpart. Additionally, they understand their tradition and heritage to be continuous with the early Christianity—a claim that they passionately hold on to.  This episode is part one of two episodes and will focus on the global reach of Christianity. In the second section, we continue on the local aspect of Christianity.

    27 min
  5. Exploring Tribal Theology | Repost of The Wooden Cross Podcast

    09/09/2020

    Exploring Tribal Theology | Repost of The Wooden Cross Podcast

    This is a REPOST EPISODE of The Wooden Cross Podcast. Few days back, I was a guest at The Wooden Cross podcast, hosted by Imlong Chang, who is podcasting from Tuensang, Nagaland. Thanks to Imlong for allowing me to repost the episode on this podcast.  From the description (The Wooden Cross Podcast) Exploring Tribal Theology with Rathiulung KC In this episode I talk to Rathiulung KC currently pursuing his PhD from Edinburgh University United Kingdom. We explore the areas in Tribal Theological landscape and it's importance with the wide theological circle within the established tribal Christian States. We talk about the contextual importance of establishing a strong foundation for the churches and how it can impact the Christian values in tribal states. Episode Music Credit: A New Year by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8y9bdekz8g #thecontemplativetribal #edinburgh #cswcedinburgh #northeastindia #tribal #indiapodcast #tribaltheology #contextualtheology

    35 min
  6. Talking Identity | Nuam Hatzaw

    20/08/2020

    Talking Identity | Nuam Hatzaw

    A conversation with Nuam Hatzaw A Rongmei Naga from Manipur, India & a Zomi from Chin State, Burma walks into a podcast episode in Edinburgh...  In today's episode, I chat with Nuam and we talk about what Zomi identity means for her, and in the world today, especially in light of contemporary realities such as international and transnational migration, diaspora communities, advances in communication & technologies... along with a brief detour into some current trends in Southeast Asian studies and tribal studies of NE India. We touched on what it was like to grow up as a Zomi in the UK, and also chatted about the experiences of ethnic solidarity on one hand, and cultural differences on the other.  Nuam is a PhD candidate at the Centre for the Study of World Christianity at the University of Edinburgh. She has a BA in anthropology & development studies from SOAS, University of London and MA from the Uni of Edinburgh. Her research interests include World Christianity, postcolonial feminist theology. anthropology, nationalism studies, and development studies. https://www.cswc.div.ed.ac.uk/author/nhatzaw/ For more on zomia concept: https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-battle-over-zomia/ Zomia: a term coined by historian Willem van Schendel in 2002, and expanded upon by James C. Scott in his recent book The Art of Not Being Governed: An Anarchist History of Upland Southeast Asia. Source: http://www.geocurrents.info/cultural-geography/where-is-zomia#ixzz6VgZPEdyC Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asian_Massif Episode Music Credit: A New Year by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8y9bdekz8g #thecontemplativetribal #edinburgh #cswcedinburgh #northeastindia #zomia #zomi #burma

    22 min
  7. Flight from Finitude | Part Two

    11/08/2020

    Flight from Finitude | Part Two

    In this episode, we continue where we left off in the last episode. This is part two of Flight from Finitude, so make sure you check that episode before listening in on this one. In wrapping up the discussion that moved from Christopher Lasch, to ideas by British sociologist, Geoffrey Gorer in his provocative article, titled, "The Pornography of Death."  Finally, we explore some practical, theological and philosophical tips on how we might go about redressing or addressing the problem of aversion towards our limited-ness, finitude, ageing and ultimately towards death.  Resources: Christopher Lasch's "The Culture of Narcissism" (1979), Geoffrey Gorer's "The Pornography of Death" (1955), Abigail Rian Evans' "Is God still at the Bedside?" and William F. May's "Sacral Power of Death." "PSYCHOANALYSIS CONFIRMS THE ANCIENT RELIGIOUS INSIGHT THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ACHIEVE HAPPINESS IS TO ACCEPT LIMITATIONS IN A SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE AND CONTRITION INSTEAD OF ATTEMPTING TO ANNUL THOSE LIMITATIONS OR BITTER RESENTING THEM." Christopher Lasch, The Culture of Narcissism (1979) Leave a comment and join the conversation. At the WordPress site. Alternatively, you can drop a comment or message on Instagram. #thecontemplativetribal #indiapodcast #tribalpodcast #tribal #christopherlasch #cultureofnarcissism #manipur #northeastindia Episode Music Credit: A New Year by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8y9bdekz8g

    17 min
  8. Flight from Finitude

    11/08/2020

    Flight from Finitude

    It is no secret that we live in a time that prioritises strength, beauty, vigour and youthfulness. In such a world that values and worships progress & productivity, our own limitedness is a reality that strikes us with anxiety and fear. We want to stay forever young, 18 till I die, and never grow up. Apparently, our attitudes towards aging are not accidental. They are possibly influenced by a disorientation of our values and the failure to accept key points about our human condition.  In this episode, I talk about modern/contemporary aversion towards age and growing old--the inevitable but dreaded reality of gaining years that is universal for everyone.  We explore the roots of the 'culture of narcissism' and reflect on my own experiences of modern as well as traditional tribal societies, and compare their attitude towards aging.  Drawing insights from Christopher Lasch's "The Culture of Narcissism" (1979), Geoffrey Gorer's "The Pornography of Death" (1955), Abigail Rian Evans' "Is God still at the Bedside?" and William F. May's "Sacral Power of Death."  Leave a comment and join the conversation. At the WordPress site. Alternatively, you can drop a comment or message on Instagram.  #thecontemplativetribal #indiapodcast #tribalpodcast #tribal #christopherlasch #cultureofnarcissism #manipur #northeastindia Episode Music Credit: A New Year by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8y9bdekz8g

    25 min
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Grab a cup of red tea. Let's talk. Issues, events, ideas, practices from the perspective of tribal life of NE India. Hosted by Rathiulung Elias KC Hosted by @rathiulung

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