What question did this study set out to answer?

The paper aims to explore how women are portrayed in Manipuri and Mizo folk myths, focusing on themes of empowerment and disempowerment.

March 17, 2026Open Access

Women in Folk Narratives of North East India

Key Points

The paper aims to explore how women are portrayed in Manipuri and Mizo folk myths, focusing on themes of empowerment and disempowerment.
Analysis of selected folk narratives from Manipuri and Mizo cultures
Comparison of empowerment themes in both cultures
Juxtaposition of mythological texts by key authors
Identified numerous instances of both empowered and disempowered female characters
Revealed cultural attitudes towards women in Manipuri and Mizo societies
Showed parallels and differences between the two sets of narratives

Abstract

Folk narratives are deeply rooted in a group's collective psyche, shaping its worldview. North East India is home to many such tribal folklores that are intertwined with society. This paper, therefore, aims to analyse the empowerment and disempowerment of women characters in selected Manipuri and Mizo myths. The texts taken into consideration are And That is Why: Manipuri Myths Retold by L. Somi Roy and The Blaft Book of Mizo Myths by Cherrie Lalnunziri Chhangte. The myths are thoroughly analysed and juxtaposed to draw a parallel between the two cultures.

Bookmark

View Full Paper