Water as Nature and Culture: Socio-Economic, Religious and Environmental Dimensions in India
Haobijam Vokendro *
Department of Anthropology, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal, Manipur-795003, India.
Thoithoi Mutum
Department of Anthropology, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal, Manipur-795003, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Water is not just a part of life; it is life itself. Living organisms originated on this planet through water. This very force of nature is what sustains and propagates us. But its relationship with humans is not just about sustenance and resources. Water is an essential part of human culture; it symbolises the divine power in many cultures and religions. Because of its many facets, we need to understand water holistically. This study aims to understand water in its many manifestations and how humans have incorporated this force of nature into their lives. This study used a qualitative and exploratory approach. Secondary data from papers, newspaper articles and reports are used for this study. The study is analysed from the theoretical framework of cultural ecology and interpretive anthropology. The study finds that in extreme cases of floods and droughts, humans adjust the practices of social institutions such as marriage and family. In many cultures, water bodies such as lakes and rivers are revered as sacred places and entities. Many religious practices are associated with such water bodies, which has led to water pollution. The study concludes by stressing the need for a holistic understanding of human interaction with water. Water and pollution management must inculcate the cultural aspect of water.
Keywords: Water, nature, culture, myth, belief