View source for Recirculating J. H. Hutton's Cylinder Recordings in Nagaland

{{Project Page
|title=Recirculating J. H. Hutton's Cylinder Recordings in Nagaland
|subtitle=To be confirmed.
|description=The project “Recirculating J.

|projectlead=Dr Christian Poske
|duration=January-March 2022
|places=Nagaland
|funder=International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives
|partners=Pitt Rivers Museum, Archives and Research Centre for Ethnomusicology, The Highland Institute
|projectstatus=To be confirmed.

|overview=The project “Recirculating J. H. Hutton’s Cylinder Recordings in Nagaland” focuses on reconnecting early 20th-century sound recordings of Naga communities, originally recorded by John Henry Hutton, with contemporary communities in Nagaland. Through archival research in the UK, fieldwork in Nagaland, and collaborative exhibitions and workshops, the project seeks to contextualize these recordings and reintroduce them to their source communities. It also aims to improve access to these materials by creating enhanced digital archives for long-term preservation and research use.

|objectives=The project aimed to evaluate and document Hutton’s cylinder recordings and related archival materials, while facilitating their ethical and meaningful recirculation among Naga communities. It sought to understand contemporary community responses to historical recordings, foster dialogue between archives and source communities, and enhance access to these materials through digitization and improved documentation. Additionally, the project aimed to create platforms—such as exhibitions and workshops—for knowledge exchange and engagement around sound heritage.

|themes=To be confirmed.

|methodology=archival research in the UK, fieldwork in Nagaland, and collaborative exhibitions and workshops

|activities=To be confirmed.

|outcomesheading=Outcomes
|outcomes=The project resulted in a deeper understanding of the historical recordings and their contemporary relevance, as well as meaningful engagement with Naga communities through fieldwork, exhibitions, and workshops. It facilitated the return of digitized recordings with enhanced documentation to partner institutions in India, improving accessibility for both researchers and local communities. The initiative also strengthened collaborative ties between international archives and regional institutions, contributing to more inclusive and community-centered approaches to audiovisual heritage preservation.

|team=Lanuakum Aier, Research assistant

|partnerdetails=Pitt Rivers Museum, Archives and Research Centre for Ethnomusicology, The Highland Institute

|participants=Naga communities

|knowledgerecords=To be confirmed.

|publications=To be confirmed.

|filmsmedia=To be confirmed.

|relatedplaces=To be confirmed.

|related=To be confirmed.

|sources=<ul style="margin:0; padding-left:20px;">
<li>The Highland Institute, THI Project List.</li>
</ul>

|imagerights=To be confirmed.

|editorialnote=This page uses data from the THI Project List. Fields not supported by that source are marked “To be confirmed.”
|editorialstatus=PUBLIC — DRAFT
|lastreviewed=7 October 2026
}}