Folktales as Cultural Memory: Exploring Belief Systems of the Munda Tribe of Odisha Through Translation

Abstract

The Munda community of Odisha preserves its world view, spiritual relationship with nature, and socio-cultural identity through an extensive body of oral folktales. These tales function as living archives of traditional knowledge, ritual practices, environmental ethics, and community norms. This research explores how selected Munda folktales, when translated into English, illuminate the cultural beliefs of the tribe while simultaneously revealing the challenges and responsibilities translation carries in representing indigenous epistemologies. The analysis particularly focuses on narratives that address cosmology, ancestor worship, gender roles, and harmonious coexistence with the natural environment. By combining folkloristic interpretation with translation studies, this paper argues that translation is not merely a linguistic act but a vital means of cultural mediation. It further reflects on how documenting and translating such stories contributes to their preservation in the face of cultural erosion brought by modernisation, migration, and dominant linguistic cultures. The paper concludes that translating Munda folktales into English enables wider academic engagement and global recognition, while also underscoring the urgency to maintain the integrity and contextual richness of indigenous traditions.