Noted researcher and academic Dr Prem Taba has been invited to present his pioneering work on indigenous ecological knowledge at the International Conference on Advances in Educational Research, Humanities, and Social Sciences (ICAERHS 2026). The conference, considered one of the most prestigious multidisciplinary forums in the world, will be held in Madrid, Spain, from May 4 to 8, 2026. Dr Taba, who completed his PhD in Mass Communication from Rajiv Gandhi University, will deliver a paper titled “Spirits of the Forest: Uyu-Based Knowledge Systems and Shifting Ecologies in Nyishi Cosmology.” His work explores the deep-rooted relationship between the Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh and their surrounding forest environment through the concept of uyu—spiritual beings believed to govern the bond between humans and nature.
The research brings to light how traditional Nyishi practices such as jhum (shifting) cultivation, hunting, and forest rituals are perceived not merely as survival strategies but as moral and spiritual exchanges with both benevolent and malevolent uyu. These beliefs, Dr Taba argues, encode ethical principles and ecological wisdom within Nyishi culture, ensuring that nature is not just used but also revered. At the same time, his study reflects on how modern transformations—including increasing out-migration, urban exposure, and the spread of Christianity—are reshaping these indigenous practices. By documenting these changes, Dr Taba positions Nyishi cosmology as a living and adaptive system rather than a relic of the past, offering fresh insights into how communities negotiate identity, faith, and environment in a fast-changing world.
The organisers of ICAERHS praised Dr Taba’s contribution, noting that his work was selected after a rigorous international peer review process. The conference regularly brings together leading voices in sociology, anthropology, philosophy, politics, psychology, and education, making it a rare platform where indigenous knowledge can stand alongside global academic discourse.0
