Question

What are the factors behind the assertion of tribal identities today?

Answer 1

• Forced incorporation of tribal communities has had a negative impact on tribal cultures and, society as much as its economy.
• Tribal identities are today formed by interactional processes.
• Because this interactional process has not been in favour of the tribes, many tribal identities are based on ideas of resistance and opposition to the overwhelming force of the non-tribal world.
• The positive impact of success such as the achievement of statehood for Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, is marred by continuous problems. Many citizens of the north¬eastern states have been living under special laws that limit their civil liberties. The vicious circle of armed rebellions provoking state repression which in turn fuels further rebellions has taken a heavy toll on the culture, economy, and society of these north-eastern states.
• Gradual emergence of an educated middle class in conjunction with the policy of reservation is creating an urbanised professional dass. As tribal societies get more and more differentiated i.e. developed dass and other division within themselves, current bases grow for the assertion of tribal identity.
• These issues are categorised to control over vital economic resources like land and specially forests, and issues relating to matters of ethnic-cultural identity.
• Due to vision within the tribes, the reason for asserting tribal identity may be different for different group of tribals.