Lost Lands, Lasting Legacy:

The Sindhi Community Experiences in Sustaining Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions

Abstract

Indigeneity, often regarded as the custodian of knowledge systems, continues to offer profound insights into sustainable living and cultural preservation. Among various such communities, a community that has demonstrated resilience and adaptation is the Sindhi community in India, which serves as the focus of this paper. This research explores how the Sindhi community has preserved its traditional knowledge despite these historical challenges, unrest and displacement. Utilizing doctrinal research and discussion with community members from different age groups and various places; the study reveals that, despite the impact of Partition, the Sindhi community continues to uphold traditional knowledge systems characterized by sustainability and harmony with nature. Key findings indicate that oral traditions, social customs, and culinary practices remain vital links to their ancestral heritage, although the decline of the written Sindhi language threatens the preservation of their full linguistic heritage. The paper underscores the urgent need for documentation and digitization efforts to safeguard these traditions amidst the pressures of globalization. Conclusively, it highlights the role of institutions and policy frameworks in protecting Sindhi culture and practices, offering insights into how these efforts can contribute to the survival of indigenous knowledge systems in the 21st century. By situating the Sindhi experience within the broader discourse on indigenous knowledge, this research emphasizes the universal importance of preserving cultural heritage to foster diversity, resilience, and continuity.