How citizen archivists in South Asia confront the online marginalization of oral cultures and languages

Preserving South Asia's Oral Traditions

Citizen archivists in South Asia are actively preserving oral traditions such as folk songs, riddles, and histories by recording, uploading, and transcribing them on Wikimedia platforms. This effort challenges text-centric knowledge systems and revives marginalized voices.

Exploring Cultural Narratives Through Oral Traditions

Oral narratives offer unique insights into the lives and cultures of common people, insights often overlooked in mainstream education and media. For example:

An O Bele folk song from the Tulu community in southern India reveals how farmers entertained themselves while planting crops.
A Tharu folk song from northern India sheds light on male migration for work and the significance of a river.
Anthropomorphic stories in Angika folk songs, such as Lord Shiva being robbed during a nap, highlight the contrast between scripted religious portrayals and everyday folk practices in India and Nepal.
Oral culture videos document the Torwali speakers in Pakistan resisting the marginalization of their culture by dominant religio-political forces.

Challenges of Oral Cultures in a Text-Centric World

The exclusively oral nature of these cultural expressions often leads to their marginalization in a world dominated by written knowledge. The preservation efforts on digital platforms aim to bridge this gap by making oral traditions accessible and valued.

The Indic Oral Culture Project

This collaborative project documented the oral heritage of 11 languages across nine communities in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, using Wikimedia to create a globally accessible digital archive. It included recording videos, transcribing folk songs, and uploading these materials with subtitles to Wikimedia Commons.

“In my opinion, the documentation of Ahirwati folk songs is in its initial stage. People are unaware of losing their language and culture… I recorded some Ahirwati folksongs and uploaded them with subtitles. Through this, I learned new things about my language, traditions, and culture.” — Priyanka Yadav, Ahirwati community participant

The project empowered participants with skills in archiving, transcription, translation, and online publishing, involving workshops primarily conducted online to adapt to changing circumstances.

Community and Cultural Impact

Participants from various communities, like the Tulu and Eastern Tharu, have planned to extend the documentation efforts through collaborative workshops and partnerships aimed at preserving fading cultural elements like traditional dances.

“The coastal Tulu community has rich traditional cultures that we need to preserve. Listening to practitioners revealed the deep science behind these practices, which left us mesmerized. The practitioners were supportive of preserving oral cultures through Wikimedia.” — Kavitha Ganesh, Tulu community participant

Significance of Digital Archiving

Digital archiving on Wikimedia platforms helps counteract the marginalization of oral cultures by facilitating broader access, supporting cultural pride, and challenging dominant knowledge paradigms. This work safeguards the intangible heritage of South Asia for future generations.

Oral culture videos and recordings explore realities rarely emphasized in mainstream education and mass media, increasing visibility for marginalized voices.

Author's summary: Citizen archivists in South Asia are vital in digitally preserving and reviving oral traditions, empowering communities to challenge marginalization and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Global Voices — 2025-11-21