Published Paper Details:

This paper explores Easterine Kire's novel When the River Sleeps as a rich narrative that draws from Naga myths to preserve cultural heritage, shape indigenous identity, and resist external misrepresentations. Set in the hills of Nagaland, the novel follows the spiritual journey of Vilie, a hunter in search of the mythical heart-stone, a quest that unfolds within a landscape shaped by ancestral stories, spiritual beliefs, and ecological wisdom. Through close reading and contextual analysis, the paper examines how myths such as the Tiger-Man and the heart-stone act as moral and cultural guides, reflecting the values, fears, and hopes of the Naga people. The study also applies theoretical insights from scholars like Barthes and Eliade to understand the symbolic power of myth in traditional societies. By reclaiming oral traditions and sacred narratives, Kire's novel offers an indigenous response to cultural erosion, giving voice to a community often silenced or stereotyped. The paper argues that literature from Northeast India, particularly when grounded in myth, becomes a powerful medium for asserting identity, preserving memory, and resisting marginalization.