Remembering Teesta and the Water Dragon

An Illustrated Folk Narrative of the Lepchas

  • Alyen Leeachum Foning Independent
Keywords: folk narrative, oral tradition, sacred water, ancestor worship, Lepcha

Abstract

In this illustrated folk narrative, a muun, a traditional female shaman of the Lepcha tribe, takes us on a journey of the tribe’s origins, it’s connection to the ancestors, mother earth, and the sacred waters through the muun’s vision of the water dragon. The story is based on several interviews with the shamans and elders of the Lepcha tribe. It is important to understand that the muun, the local rivers and the water dragon are essentially all the same. Their voices alternate throughout the narrative. The muun is simply a vessel who helps us connect to the many realities and realms. The confluence of rivers help the muun reconnecting to her lineage, mother earth, herself and to the water dragon. The water dragon is simultaneously journeying with the rivers and is also emerging from the muun’s heart to channel the messages that are needed to be shared. In this multi-layered story, the storyteller(s) tell(s) us about birth, marriage, life, and death as practiced facts. The story is intended to convey information about different ceremonies and rites of passage. The essence of the story, its language and visuals have been made keeping in mind the ways in which oral storytelling is shared locally among members of the Lepcha tribe. It is written in such a way as leave much for readers to interpret or imagine for themselves. Visual hints should help to guide readers to make and understand the connections. The spirit of the story lies in our remembrance and reconnection to all that we have forgotten. It is a humble voice for the river Teesta and water bodies of the world and their current bondage and death. Especially at a crucial time like ours, when mother earth and her kingdom are disintegrating rapidly, and our survival is at stake.

Author Biography

Alyen Leeachum Foning, Independent

I come from a background of Textile, Fashion and Product design.

I studied Textile and Apparel Design at The National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. 

I currently also run a small enterprise with local women of Kalimpong using textile art and upcycling.

 

Having come from an indigenous community and in my design career I have always found ways to express through elements of nature and personal experiences. 

 

In the course of my career I also discovered expressions through Textile art/sculpting/installations, illustration, words, poetry and folk narrative.

 

My research interest include-

Indigenous crafts

Art & Design

Fabrics

Upcycling

Folk narratives

Oral history of indigenous communities Nature based practices

Nature worship

Ancestor worship

Shamanism 

Lepcha shamanism 

Eastern      Himalayan Shamanism

Female shamans

Traditional plant medicine

Attaching below some links in case you would like to refer to them for clarification.

Some of my professional work, other work, storytelling and features.

https://www.instagram.com/alyenfoning/

https://www.facebook.com/alyenfoningkalimpong

My textile art narrative which was part of an Anthology. It was based of the journey back to my roots.
https://zubaanbooks.com/shop/centrepiece-new-writing-and-art/

My installation for my research on the female shamans of the Lepcha tribe. Titled 'The story of the Muun'.
It is based on the oral histories and interviews with elders of the tribe and practicing Muuns.
The research grant paper was published by Zubaan publishers and Sasakawa Peace Foundation Japan.
This was exhibited at Godrej India Culture Lab for the event 'Oh so many feminisms'

The link for the 360 degrees video-
https://youtu.be/a3gNOwTEIAM

The link for the whole storytelling session-
https://youtu.be/hirfcsCxVE0

The link for the research paper-
https://zubaanprojects.org/e-essays/
Published in the year 2018 under the title-The story of the Muun.

Remembering Teesta and the Water Dragon storytelling
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=491506395409816&id=102831458076904

Features

https://thevoiceoffashion.com/fabric-of-india/inside-northeast/the-land-of-hidden-paradise-787

https://thevoiceoffashion.com/fabric-of-india/features/the-moth-and-the-dragonfly-4283

In collaboration with Living waters museum and British Council
Visualising Water Heritage through Storytelling in Northeast India.

Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine

It ws a privilege to engage with 30 young girls from North East India and Darjeeling through the lost art of storytelling. The storytelling session is not in this video. But a summary of the whole project.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10165452686750387&id=571990386

https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings

Published
17-Jun-2022
How to Cite
Foning, A. (2022). Remembering Teesta and the Water Dragon. HIMALAYA - The Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies, 41(1), 114-134. https://doi.org/10.2218/himalaya.2022.7040
Section
Artwork