Paper short abstract:

This paper seeks to investigate into the history of food and drink among the Mizo since nineteenth century. It argues how the colonial officials, Christian missionaries and new emerging elites within Mizo society exercised their hegemony and shaped the tastes of the people. It also deals with the changing and continuity in the food and drinking practices of the Mizos. Both historical and anthropological tools have been utilized to understand this process. A number of colonial ethnographical accounts both published as well un-published have been consulted to write this paper. Since there is not sufficient archival sources, recourse to tools of Oral history has been taken. More than sixty interviews were conducted to build up my narrative.

Paper long abstract:

All over the world, transforming indigenous cultures had been an agenda central to colonial domination. In 'civilizing' the tribes of North-East India the agendas of both the colonialists as well the Christian missionaries synchronized. Taste had been an important cite of exercising cultural hegemony over the Mizo tribes. However, this hegemony was contested in beginning. But gradually when a good number of people were converted to Christianity, the consent could be manufactured. After India achieved independence, the discourse of 'civilization' was appropriated by the new emerging educated class and the officials, merchants and traders coming from other parts of India. The acceptance of new foods by a group usually requires major disruptions, like war, or crop failure, or migration, in their ordinary diets. Both migration from one country to another and migration within a single country are important (particularly rural to urban migration), as are agricultural reforms, especially if they result in the displacement of a segment of the population from the land. In Mizoram, the Mautam (famine), Insurgency, Regrouping of the villages as a strategy to contain terrorism and consequent urbanization process did play a role in creating new tastes in terms of food. Even then the diffusion of new foods requires adapting that food to local tastes and dietary habits, mixing it with other indigenous foods. The entry of the 'global' food/fast food created health and environmental hazards.The proposed paper is a humble attempt to study these aspects in the context of Mizoram.

Paper short abstract:

The present paper seeks to explore the ways in which the Sumi tribe of Nagaland had encountered various types of changes due to globalization. It is an attempt to identify those institutional features and cultural practices that are most affected by the recent changes.

Paper long abstract:

An examination of recent trends in Sumi Naga society reveals that so much has changed yet people are nostalgic about the ideal structure of the past and still take pride in it. It also reveals that people, especially the youth, are at a crossroad, encountering contradictory values of tradition and market-centred globalization. They are making an effort to cling to their roots but at the same time avail of the opportunities of the market. The present paper seeks to explore the ways in which the Sumi tribe of Nagaland had encountered various types of changes due to globalization. It is an attempt to identify those institutional features and cultural practices that are most affected by the recent changes. The manner in which the society accepted new ideas and beliefs and has adapted to the ways as prescribed is examined. The invading forces might have ushered in changes so as to raise Sumi society at par with the rest of the world, however if this becomes a threat to their cultural identity then it does become a matter of concern. Hence, it is imperative to consider the strategies people employ to keep certain aspects of their traditions and cultural practices alive.

Paper short abstract:

I take a closer look at a new religion called Rangfraism which is rapidly gaining popularity amongst a section of the Tangsa in Arunachal Pradesh in order to understand the intentions and the processes involved in the formulation of this new religion, and the impact this movement has had in stopping conversion to Christianity even while seeming to play into the hands of certain Hindu organisations.

Paper long abstract:

The Tangsas are a small ethnic community (related to the Naga) who have migrated to India from Myanmar probably within the last couple of centuries and have settled in the north-east Indian states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. In the last few decades, in the course of their migration down from the hills to the plains, many of the Tangsa tribes have embraced standard world religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. Some Tangsa still practise their old indigenous religion. In recent years there has been a move amongst a section of the educated Tangsa to institutionalise their old 'religion' under a new name -- Rangfraism, by setting up houses of worship in which idols (or images) of Rangfrah have been installed, and by codifying the rituals and other practices around this new religion.

In this paper, besides giving a broad view of the religious diversity amongst the Tangsa, I wish to take a closer look at Rangfraism to ascertain how much is new, how much of the old has been retained, what has been discarded, and for what ends. The supportive role played by organisations like the Vivekananda Kendra and secular anti-conversion forums like the IFCSAP will be analysed. I shall also look at what has been borrowed from Christian practices in order to make it more appealing, and the consequent impact Rangfraism has had in stopping conversion to Christianity amongst the Tangsa will also be discussed.

Paper short abstract:

Through empirical example the paper deals with the transitory phase of Khasi community in the Indian State of Meghalaya. It warns that while introducing any scheme, the planners have to be causes the welfare and wellbeing of the community.

Paper long abstract:

While the concept of welfare is an Etic issue, the concept of wellbeing is Emic. The paper deals with the emerging situation of a case of double descent among the Khasis of the State of Meghalaya in India .The Khasis have been traditionally a matriarchal society; the inheritance of property, in terms of land, takes place from the female line. However, during last few decades, huge amount of moveable property, in the form of cash money, has been earned by the khasi families. Now such movable property, for obvious reasons, is being inherited by the male line. Therefore, there has been a paradigm shift relating to rule of descent and inheritance. Now, the Synkong Rympei Thymai (SRT), an organization formed by the active male members of the community, has been emphasizing that the wellbeing of Khasi community would be ensured only by changing the rule of descent and inheritance in the community. The paper empirically suggests that the Khasi community in India is undergoing a phase of rapid transition .The planners and administrators have to be aware while introducing any welfare programme among the Khasis; else, the welfare measures introduced among the Khasis, instead of doing any good, would only disturb the well being of the community.

Paper short abstract:

The paper will question how and why conversion to Christianity in Indo-Burma border has become both a form of dissent and an expression of identity among the Naga, a people marginalised by Indian and Burmese dominance. Going beyond current Naga nationalist rhetoric, it will enumerate religious conversion in the light of the profound impact of three wars -- the two World Wars and the so-called Indo-Naga war.

Paper long abstract:

The Indo-Burma border was perceived by the British as the frontier of its Empire during colonial times, and has continued since Indian independence in 1947 to be seen by the Indian federal republic as a frontier between India and Burma. As a buffer zone it has had constant military presence. The paper will question how and why conversion to Christianity in this contested militarised zone has become both a form of dissent and an expression of identity among the Naga, a people marginalised by Indian and Burmese dominance. Going beyond current Naga nationalist rhetoric, the paper will enumerate religious conversion in the light of the profound impact of three wars -- the two World Wars and the so-called Indo-Naga war - especially the rapid conversion to Christianity during three decades, from 1950 to 1970, of the 'Indo-Naga' war. Through accounts and constant material reminders, the Naga have internalised the experience of these wars over the generations. Using archival material, oral histories and contemporary ethnography, the paper will discuss such intergenerational experiences: among Naga who participated in the First World War as part of French Labour Corps; among those involuntarily caught up in the Second World War battle of Kohima in 1944; and among those involved in present nationalist and religious movements.

Paper short abstract:

This paper aims at mapping and understanding one of the indicators of ageing population-the old age dependency ratio from 1971-2001 in the Tribal and Non-Tribal Dominated areas of the North East India.

Paper long abstract:

Old Age Dependency Ratio is a very important indicator for the society and for the country as a whole. All over the world particularly in the more developed countries ageing population is pronounced due to low fertility and high life expectancy. The increase in the dependency ratio is due to the increase in longevity. Developing countries in near future will enjoy the huge working force; this trend will reduce in the future due to the change in the elements of population. India is no exception from this. North Eastern region of India is a home to diverse ethnic groups, these groups speak different language and have varied socio cultural traditions. The region has extreme heterogeneity in terms of concentration of the tribal population across the region characterized by diverse social, structural and cultural patterns. This paper aims at mapping and understanding one of the indicators of ageing population-the old age dependency ratio in the Tribal and Non-Tribal Dominated areas of the North East India.

Paper short abstract:

Tobacco uses during pregnancy have both been associated with a number of adverse effects on the growth. The aim of this study is to show the effect of maternal tobacco exposure during pregnancy on infant weight for a period of one year. The mean birth weight of new born babies in the present study group was 3.1959kg, with male birth weight as 3.2482 kg and female as 3.1390 kg respectively.

Paper long abstract:

Tobacco is used in various forms throughout India and among the present study group, that is Paite tribe of Churachandpur, Manipur, consumption is noted to be very high. This longitudinal study was designed to examine reciprocal relationships between the effect of maternal tobacco exposure during pregnancy and infant growth over the first 12 months of life. Several background variables, including maternal age, reproductive history, and other reliance sources of information were correlated with infant growth. The infants were measured 13 times, i.e., from birth to the age of twelve months at one-monthly intervals with a strict adherence to time tolerance limit of ±3 days is maintained . The mean birth weight of new born babies in the present study group was 3.1959kg, with male birth weight as 3.2482 kg and female as 3.1390 kg respectively. An interesting observation made in this study is the presence of least low birth weight babies (2.74%) inspite of ignorance playing an immense role on the health care of mother, the outcome on new born birth weight, which has been of global issues since decades, have fared well in the present study group.

Paper short abstract:

The ethnographies and anthropological texts influenced the self-image of the Konyaks to a large extent. In recent times the Konyaks of India and of Myanmar are trying to rediscover their heritage by building institutions and by creating alternative discourses. The multiple discourses allow better appreciation of the alternatives.

Paper long abstract:

The collective memories of the Konyaks have partly been occupied by ethnographies and anthropological texts written during colonial and post-colonial years; they have been subjected to the stereotypical images of the naked savage head-hunters. The people learnt to treat some elements of their past with a hint of embarrassment and public discourse on those topics was mutually avoided by them. In more recent times the Konyaks on both sides of Indo-Myanmar border are trying to rediscover their social and cultural heritage by enquiring into the subjects themselves and creating institutions which are supposed to collect information and disseminate the same within and outside the culture group. This exercise offers a chance to look into the issues of subjectivity and objectivity from several perspectives. Both kinds of discourses, one presented by the supposedly impassionate chroniclers from distant places and disparate cultures and the other by different sections of the people themselves, are found to adopt their respective ideological stance. Combining both it can be possible to make better sense of one another.

Paper short abstract:

In the emerging world of nations with its growing multiplicity of diverse ethnic identity crises and varieties of conflict resolving strategies, a thought is provoked to relook on the Naga people’s struggle in the process of becoming a Nation in the third millennium. The main focus of the study is on the origin of Naga history, culture, socio-economic, and political vision with tribal religion as the common denominator. Hence this paper is presented as a contemplative approach.

Paper long abstract:

The Issues effecting the survival of the Naga people are perceived and analyzed as: (1) Impact of Naga National struggle against Indian occupational forces. (2) Shortcomings of resource generation and management due to lack of skill and technology (3) Violation and Exploitation of land and human rights.(4) Threats of contra-acculturation of Naga Indigenous people (5) lost of traditional value and work-culture, affecting the economy and peoples' life.

The Age-old Naga traditional practices like; a rare sacred fire making, traditional practice of inducing rain by pulling-Earth-made-drum, cultural festivals, system of Naga governance, customary laws etc, are of immense historical importance in the making of Naga as a nation. The Nagas' struggle for their right to self determination suffers immense difficulties and lost under protective policy of Indian administration. It is observed that, Naga publics are conditioned as providers of sustenance as well as victims of the armed groups. The public economy and peace is affected and disturbed by undergrounds (UGs) excessive activities. They are desperately tussling among themselves for factional supremacy causing unrest tension in the society. It seems that, Nagas' rights as a people are greatly manipulated, exploited and endangered.

Therefore a strategic approach to resolve the confronting issues be formulated and addressed. Restoring the lost culture and rights a pressing necessity. Subsequently, the crises have greatly awakened the people of their rights and identities. The facts are viewed as a serious threat to global balance and peace.

Paper short abstract:

This paper aims at discussing traditional knowledge related to weaving resource generation, cycle of resource production, technology of production and cultural use as well as meaning of those productions. The paper further aims at analyzing the gender relations of weaving production to unfold the regulatory behavior and at the same time traditional as well as modern trade relations of tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and its neighbourhood.

Paper long abstract:

The weaving is the world of women and that is culturally considered as women's job at home, in northeast Indian plains and hills communities in general and Arunachal Pradesh in particular. All communities maintain tradition of weaving, which is basically colorful loin-loom tradition and at present that is part of cultural identity. The tribal communities of that state (twenty six major tribes and around hundred sub-tribes /sub-groups) are mostly weave cotton, and earlier there were tradition of use of other natural fibers and barks for making cloths. The Know-How of simple loin -loom technology is part of traditional knowledge and that nature's friendly technology is handy and low cost. Post independent era of development brought some changes in the weaving traditions and technology and at present women are to an extent depending on market for raw material. The weaving includes everything essential and utilized at home by all family members. At this background, this paper aims at discussing traditional knowledge related to weaving resource generation, cycle of resource production, technology of production and cultural use as well as meaning of those productions. The paper further aims at analyzing the gender relations of weaving production to unfold the regulatory behavior and at the same time traditional as well as modern trade relations of tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and its neighbourhood.

Paper short abstract:

The paper deals with the parati system of division of labor among the Khasi community that is perfectly based upon the principle of reciprocity. It discusses that how an indigenous community, even at the low level of technology device indigenous institutions to cope with the survival and subsistence.

Paper long abstract:

Notwithstanding the changes undergoing in the Northeast in general and the Khasi community in particular, the age-old system of Parati, i.e. the institutionalized form of division of labour still persists in every Khasi village. A parati consists of a group of men or women, who are bound by the principle of reciprocity. There are women parati as also the men parati. Besides the kinsmen, anybody in the village may become a member of the parati. The members are generally of the same age-group. The function of the parati could be observed during the agricultural season. All the members of a parati help the other member in agricultural works, but without any wages. Participation in the parati is obligatory. Of late, the labours are also employed in agricultural works; but such labors are necessarily outsiders, and a non-Khasi. The Khasis are also undergoing rapid change. It is high time that such age-old institutions be documented, before it is too late to do so.

Paper short abstract:

Girls/Women education is of paramount importance for economic and social development. In India, Right to Education become a reality, to moves to provide education in North-East state, where it is miserable to say the least due to socioeconomic and geographical appearance in access and resources.

Paper long abstract:

Girls/Women education is of paramount importance for economic and social development of any country in the world. The dominance of the Girls/women education and the emergence of the concept of human resource development are most significant developments of 21st century. Though the year gone by 2010 in India, has seen the Right to Education (RTE) become a reality, to make the necessary moves to provide quality education in school, especially in North-East state, where the quality education is miserable to say the least due to socioeconomic, religious, familiar and geographical appearance. Girls/women of these states are facing bunch of problems regarding the access, quality and resources in education.

In such situation the discipline of anthropology can play the very vital role to address complex tribal issues in India's Northeast region regarding raising sensitivity, removing social barriers, Inter sectoral convergence, powerful monitoring and emphasizing local priorities. It can also help in the area of teacher, student, curriculum, schools, poverty and malnutrition and socioeconomic areas by using "Look East" policy in all the area of education.