The Memory of Shadows

India’s ethereal Northeast is a place where stories are intimately linked to its ancient land.

The Memory of Shadows and Other Folktales from the Northeast is a collection of luminous folktales that is rooted in the rich oral storytelling traditions of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and surrounding landscapes.

Across these haunting and enthralling tales, forests come alive with spirits, bamboo groves whisper secrets, rivers carry curses, and man learns to live in harmony with wildlife.

Each story reflects universal values and themes that have shaped the collective imagination of readers—young and old alike.

In this at-once mysterious and magical world, a grief-stricken tigress teaches man to respect the wild, a redeemed poacher becomes the forest’s guardian, a woman transforms from being the village ‘witch’ to a healer, and two brothers face the wrath of an elephant that doesn’t forget injustice. These and other stories in the collection offer profound lessons and insights into cherished Northeastern rituals and traditions.

Narrated in a lyrical and vivid style, Mijing Gwra Basumatary has made these tales more accessible and engaging for the modern reader.

The timeless wisdom of these folktales, passed down through generations, will transport readers to the mesmerizing vistas of India’s Northeast—and into the heart of the region’s folklore.