Abstract:
This thesis explores Mayong, a
region in Assam, India, renowned for its deep
rooted association with magic and mysticism, to analyze its status as a cultural
landscape. By examining its geographical features, historical context, and the
local community's intangible heritage, the research seeks to demonstrate how
Mayong functions as more than just a physical space. Instead, it is a dynamic
cultural landscape shaped by centuries of beliefs, rituals, and social practices.
The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining ethnographic
resea rch, historical analysis, and landscape theory, to understand how the
natural environment and human activity are intertwined in Mayong. It also
explores how the village's association with magic has shaped its spatial identity,
influencing land use, settlem ent patterns, and local architecture. Oral traditions,
folk practices, and community festivals are analyzed to reveal their role in
maintaining and transmitting the region’s cultural values across generations.
Through this investigation, the thesis argues
that Mayong is a living cultural
landscape where the interaction between people and the environment has
fostered a unique identity. This analysis contributes to the broader understanding
of cultural landscapes and their importance in preserving intangible heritage and
fostering cultural continuity in rural settings like Mayong.
