Decolonizing Ecologies: An Ecofeminist Exploration of Indigenous Resistance in Tshuma’s House of Stone and Malhotra’s The Book of Everlasting Things

Abstract

This research examines Indigenous resistance of women and nature in society in Tshuma’s book House of Stone and Malhotra’s The Book of Everlasting Things through the lens of ecofeminism. This study uses the Eco-feminist concepts of  Vandana Shiva exploring the patriarchal and social norms that challenge the role of women. The study particularly focuses on the role of social movements, specifically, using eco feminism in addressing the challenges faced by marginalized societies. Through an investigation of how eco feminism is understood in cultural practices and social organization, this research seeks to establish how an eco feminist perspective provides for environmentally sound practices. It points out her advocacy of social equality as well as the need for keeping the ecological balance, emphasizing her concern for the fundamental oneness of all living things, including human beings. In addition, the study explores the anthropogenic factors, especially colonialism and globalization, which have led to the depletion of ecological resources and impact on women, arguing for the need for the reclamation of Indigenous knowledge and approaches in decolonizing the environment. By looking at literature and activism through the prism of eco resistance, this research provides further evidence of the pertinence of eco feminism in times of global change as a philosophy that advocates for a more human-friendly environment, better practices, and recognition of women as change agents in society. This research highlights the need for an eco feminist study of indigenous resistance in African and Indian literature, focusing on colonialism, patriarchy, and ecology. A further study could be conducted to explore how eco feminist resistance adapts to digital activism influencing environmental policy making.