On the Future of Indigenous Traditions - Munin

tribal policy of the colonial and post colonial Indian state [see it] in the dynamics of
the colonial nationalist discourse.” 109
In his same study of Jharkhand’s ‘Politics of Development and Identity’ Prakash
highlights the issues between the ethnic identity (/ies) in the face of the national
identity. Here can we place the “tribe” as an ethnic group and the “caste” – as a wider
understanding, of national identity, since the Indian nation-state is largely a
composition of caste based societies where the “tribe” is a negligible minority [–
emphasis mine]. Prakash, making references to Nevitte and Kennedy (1986), Smith
(1981), and again Smith (1986), and Barth (1969) and presents that the two identities
(ethnic and national or sub-national) can also be differentiated in terms of demands
they make on political processes. Largely, national identities (in the case of Jharkhand
the sub-national identity) might be included to seek statehood, where as ethnic
identities might seek autonomy and adequate representation within the existing State.
110 (‘State’ with an upper case here is in reference to political concept of a State, and
‘state’ with a lower case is for a state within the India, i.e. a province.)
Further, Prakash based on Brass’s conception, says that:
“An ethnic identity is therefore ‘a subjectively self conscious community that establishes
criteria for inclusion and exclusion from the group. This inclusion or exclusion from the group
hence, involves explicit or tacit adoption of rules of endogamy or exogamy as well as a claim
to status and recognition, either as a group at least equal to other groups.’ Thus, ethnicity
emerges as ‘an alternate form of social organisation’ but is a contingent and mutable status
that may or may not be articulated in a particular context or time. Further on, ethnic groups
may tend to seek a major say in the political system in order to protect, preserve and promote
their interests. This may lead to an ethnic group aspiring for a national status and/or political
recognition, either within an existing State or as a new State.” 111
109
Amit Prakash, Jharkhand Politics of Development and Identity (New Delhi: Oriental Longman,
2001), xiii.
110
Amit Prakash, Jharkhand Politics of Development and Identity (New Delhi: Oriental Longman,
2001), 2-4.
111
Paul R Brass, 1991. Ethnicity and Nationalism: Theory and Comparison. New Delhi: Saga
Publication, 1991), 14 cited by Amit Prakash, Jharkhand Politics of Development and Identity, op. cit.,
6-7.
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