Echoes of Erasure: Memory Studies in Postcolonial, Decolonial, and Indigenous Contexts
Authors :Shailesh Vaghela
Abstract
Abstract: Memory studies provide a critical framework for exploring the intersections of history, identity, and power within postcolonial, decolonial, and indigenous paradigms. These approaches illuminate the ways colonialism has shaped collective and individual memories, often through the erasure or distortion of marginalized voices. Postcolonial memory examines how formerly colonized societies reclaim their histories through art, literature, and oral traditions. Decolonial memory, on the other hand, interrogates colonial epistemologies, seeking to dismantle Eurocentric frameworks and prioritize indigenous knowledge systems. Indigenous memory, deeply rooted in ancestral wisdom, land, and spirituality, offers an enduring resistance to cultural assimilation and historical amnesia. This article explores how these memory paradigms intersect and diverge, emphasizing their role in healing historical traumas and envisioning decolonized futures. By situating these discussions within memory studies, the article underscores the transformative power of memory as a tool for justice and liberation.
Keywords: Memory studies, postcolonial memory, decolonial epistemology, indigenous knowledge, cultural resistance
