UNIT 1.

4 : ETHNO-CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF THE NORTH

EAST INDIA; IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION ON THE
DIVERSITY
The North East India comprises the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,
Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim. They from past of East Himalayan region
which extent from Sikkim eastword and embraces the Darjeeling Hills of West Bengal.
The location of the region is strategically important as it has international borders with
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Tibet.

The region has a high concentration of tribal population. The states of Arunachal
Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland are mostly inhabited by a number of
native tribes. Each tribe has its own distinct tradition of art, culture, dance, music and
life style. The North East part is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse
regions in India. Each of the states that form this part of India has its own culture and
traditions.
ETHNO CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF INDIA

A. ARUNACHAL PRADESH- With an area of 83743 sq.km. Arunachal Pradesh is the

largest among the north east states of India. The total population of Arunachal Pradesh
is being 13.83 as per Census, 2011.

Population and Tribes- Arunachal is home to some 30 communities and their 47 sub-
groups. The list of Scheduled Tribes includes 25 tribes. Of the remaining five
communities Meyor, Mikir, Mishing and Lisu, have been given the facilities due to the
Scheduled Tribes, but are not recognized as such by state government. The fifth, i.e,
Chakmas, is regarded as a non-tribal community. Going by the settlements, the state is
divided into five cultural zones. The first is the Tawang and Kameng regions, where the
tribes settled are Buddhist Monpas, Sherdupens, Akas, Mijis and Khowas. The second
zone lying to the east of the first covers the area of East Kameng and Lower and Upper
Subansiri. The tribes settled there are Nyishis, Banginis, Sulungs, Apatanis, Nas,
Tagins Mikirs and Hill Miris. The third zone covers some parts of the Upper Subansiri
and the East and West Siang districts, where the Adis, a major tribe, dominate. The
Adis have 15 subtribes, namely the Ashing, Bori, Karko, Milang, Padam, Pangi, Ramo,
Tangam, Bokar, Gallong, Komkar, Minyong, Pailibo, Pasi and Shimon. The Dibang
valley and Lohit regions constitute the fourth cultural zone, where the major tribes
include Khamtis and Mishmis. The fifth zone spreads over the Tirap and Changlang
regions and includes tribes like Noctes, Wanchos, Tangsas and Singphos.
Language- Linguistic heterogeneity is a noticeable feature of Arunachal. The total
population is not large, but dialects spoken here are as many as 42. Most of the
languages belong to the Tibet to Burman language family. People of each community
living in a specific cultural zone speak a distinct language. Sometimes the dialect is
unintelligible to the other communities of the state. Arunachalese (earlier known as
Nefamese, a name that originated from NEFA), a mixture of Assamese, local
languages, Hindi, etc., serves as the link language among local people as well as
between the locals and the outsiders.

Culture-
Festivals are plentiful in Arunachal. Each tribe has its own festival, which provides a
creative forum for expressing the distinctness of their art forms, dresses, designs, dance
forms, musical instruments, etc. The festivals are generally related to agricultural
activities like sowing and harvesting. There are collective rituals performed and
celebrated in public by the community as a whole. Both women and men dance during
the festivals.

In Arunachal, Durga Puja, Vishwakarma Puja, Christmas, Baisakhi and Eid are also
celebrated with equal zest and fervour, especially in urban centres like Pasighat, Ziro,
Itanagar, Along, Tezu and Bomdila, where there is a visible presence of non-Arunachali
population. A common feature of all festivals, including tribal festivals is that while the
festivals may be organised by the followers of a concerned faith, people from all walks
of life participate in them enthusiastically. This is a product of the co-habitation of
innumerable tribes and sub-tribes in the region coupled with their distinct religious
faiths, and above all their growing interaction with
others in modern times.

B. ASSAM-

Assam is a land of scenic beauty, which yet has unexplored mountain ranges,
evergreen forests, rare wildlife, mesh of rivers dominated by the Brahmaputra and
Barak, expansive tea gardens, oilfields, varied fairs and festivals and pilgrims’ trails.

Population and Tribes- Assam’s human landscape is as colourful and varied as its
physiography. It has been the meeting ground of diverse ethnic and cultural streams.
People from various traits, including Austro-Asiatics, Dravidians, Tibeto-Burmans,
Mongoloids and Aryans have all made Assam their home, enriching the people of the
state. The ethnic groups of Assam include Bodos, Dimasas, Karbi, Tai-Ahom, Mishing,
Rabha, Deori, and Tiwa. The total population of Assam is 30.57 million, according to
Census 2011.

Language- Assamese language, eastern Indo-Aryan (Indic) language that is the official
language of Assam States of India. They only indigenous Indo-Aryan language of
Assam Valley. Assamese has been affected in vocabulary, phonetics, and structure by
its close association with Tibet- Barman dialect in the region.

Culture- The Assamese culture is a rich and exotic drapery of many races that evolved
through a long assimilative process. Bihu is the most popular festival and represents the
essence of Assam. It denotes a set of three different festivals of all people irrespective
of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief. The word Bihu is derived from the language of
the Dimasa Kacharis, who have been agrarian since time immemorial. Their supreme
god is ‘Brai Shibrai’.

C. MANIPUR-

Manipur comprises 16 districts—Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur,

Jiribam, Kakching in the valley, and Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Chandel, Senapati,
Tamenglong, Kangkpokpi, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Noney and Pherzawl in the hills.
These districts are divided into sub-divisions and community or tribal development
blocks.
Population & Tribes- About 41.4 per cent of Manipuris are Hindus. Vaishnavism school
of Hinduism became a dominant force in Manipur in the eighteenth century when king
Pamheiba or Raja Garib Niwaj declared it as the official state religion. This was the
Vaishnavism of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Bhakti preacher of Bengal, which stressed
on Krishna Bhakti. Prior to the introduction of Vaishnav Hinduism and to some extent
even now, the Meitieis, the largest group of people in Manipur, worshipped ‘Sanamahi’,
the Sun God. Early Manipuris worshiped a supreme deity, ‘Lainingthou Soralel’, and
followed their ancestors. ‘Umang Lais’, the ethnic deities, are worshipped in sacred
groves. The Hindu population is concentrated in the Manipur valley. Christianity is the
religion of the majority of the population in the hill districts, where it was introduced by
the Christian missionaries in the nineteenth century. In the valley, there is also a section
of Manipuri Muslims, known locally as ‘Pangals’ who belong to the Sunni sect.

Language- Manipuri or Meiteilon is the official language of the state and is recognised
under the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. Manipuri language has its own script, which
is known as ‘Meitei Mayek’. The Manipuri language is also written in Bangla script.
There are many dialects spoken in the state as every tribe has its own dialect, all of
which are written in Roman script.
Culture- Manipur is a land of diversity, where several cultures, ethnicities and religions
co-exist. Hence, there are several festivals celebrated throughout the year. The most
popular celebration is ‘Yaoshang’ (Holi), which is celebrated for five days, commencing
from the full moon day of Falguna (FebruaryMarch). ‘Thabal Chongba’, a type of
Manipuri folk dance, where boys and girls hold hands and sing and dance in a circle, is
primarily associated with this festival. ‘Kut’, ‘Lui-Ngai-Ni’, ‘Kang’ (Rath Jatra), are
greatest religious festivals of Manipur.

D. MEGHALAYA-

The state of Meghalaya, formed on 21 January 1972,

was carved out of the state of Assam. Meghalaya
comprises the United Khasi Hills, Jaiñtia Hills and Garo
Hills. The total geographical area of the state is 22,429
sq. km with a population of 29.67 lakh (Census 2011).

Population & Tribes- The total geographical area of the

state is 22,429 sq. km with a population of 29.67 lakh
(Census 2011). It is home to three major tribes—
Khasis, Pnars (Jaiñtias) and Achik (Garos). ‘Khasi’ is a
generic term that includes Khynriam, Pnar, Bhoi, War,
Lyngngam and Diko people. ‘Achik’ is used for Garo
people.

Language- English is the official and widely spoken

language of the state, and Khasi and Garo are the
associate official languages. The Khasis and Garos have a rich oral tradition.

Culture- Meghalaya has four major festivals: ‘Shad Suk Mynsiem’, also known as
‘Weiking dance’ and ‘Nongkrem dance’ (Khasis); ‘Wangala dance’, also known as
‘Hundred Drums festival’ of the Garos, and ‘Behdeiñkhlam festival’ of Jaiñtia Hills. The
state also observes festivals such as Durga Puja, Deepawali, Eid, particularly in
Shillong, which has a lot of migrant population. Christmas celebration is the most
notable in the state as majority of the people practice Christianity.

E. MIZORAM-

The state has an area of approximately 21,087 sq. km. According to the Census 2011,
Mizoram has a population of 10.91 lakh. It has the highest concentration of tribal people
among all states in India.

Population & Tribes- A majority of the people inhabiting Mizoram, collectively known as
Mizos, consists of Hmar, Lushai (or Lusei), Paite, Lai (Pawi), Mara (Lakher) and Ralte.
These groups are subdivided into numerous sub-clans, for example the Hmars are
divided into Thiek, Faihriem, Lungtau, Darngawn, Khawbung, Sote, and others. Mizo
and its kindred people are found across North East India, Burma and Bangladesh.
Language- The major language spoken by the people of Mizoram is ‘Lushai’ (Duhlian),
commonly known as ‘Mizo’. It developed mainly from the Lushai language with
significant influence from Pawi, Paite
and Hmar languages, especially at the literary level. It belongs to the ‘Kuki-Chin’ group
of languages, which is an important branch of the Tibeto-Burman language. It is also the
official language, along with English. Languages other than Mizo are Bengali, Hmar,
Lakher, Mara, Nepali, Pawi, Paite, Thadou, etc.

Culture- There are various festivals such as ‘Chapchar Kut’ (festival of spring,
celebrated just before the jhum cultivation starts), ‘Anthurium’ festival, ‘Alphaloni’
festival, etc., celebrated in the state.
Most festivals are celebrated collectively by the whole community. Festivals such as
Chapchar Kut and Alphaloni celebrated by the Mizos and Chakmas, respectively,
revolve around the stages of jhum cultivation or the seasons. Chapchar Kut is
celebrated at the state level every year on the second Friday of March. It is the most
joyful traditional festival celebrated by the Mizos.

F. NAGALAND-

Nagaland is predominantly a tribal state with a population of 19.78 lakh (Census 2011).
It covers a geographical area of 16,579 sq. km with remarkable topographical
variations.

Population & Tribes- Nagaland is inhabited by 16 major tribes along with a number of
sub-tribes. Ao, Angami, Chang, Konyak, Lotha, Sumi, Chakhesang, Khiamniungam,
Kachari, Phom, Rengma, Sangtam, Yimchungru, Kuki, Seliang and Pochury are the
major tribes. Each tribe is distinct and unique in character in terms of customs,
language and attire. The colourful and intricately designed costumes and ornaments
that are traditionally worn can help distinguish each tribe and subtribe. Nagas’ way of
life is woven around their land, family, clan, khel (cluster of clans) and the village.

Language- The languages spoken by the Nagas are broadly grouped under the Tibeto-
Burman family. The state has a rich linguistic tradition with as many languages as there
are tribes, each exclusive to itself. Even within the language of a particular tribe, there
are dialects which are unintelligible. This makes inter-tribe and intra-tribe
communication difficult. In these circumstances, English is used as the state language,
while Nagamese, a kind of pidgin Assamese, has become the common lingua.
 Culture- Most of the festivals revolve around
agriculture, which is the mainstay of the Naga
society. People, irrespective of gender and age,
dressed in colourful traditional attire, participate in
traditional games, music, folk songs and dance,
etc., to celebrate the festival. ‘Sekrenyi’ is the main
festival of the Angami tribe, Moatsu’ is the main
festival of the Ao tribe, ‘Sukrenye’ is the main
festival of the Chakhesang tribe, ‘Naknyülüm’ is the
main festival of the Chang tribe, ‘Miu’ is the main
festival of the Khiamniungam tribe, ‘Mimkut’, the
main festival of the Kuki tribe, ‘Aoleang Monyuis’,
the main festival of the Konyak tribe, ‘Bushu’ or
‘Bushu Jiba’ is the main festival of the Dimasa
Kachari tribe.

G. TRIPURA-

The state of Tripura is a true representation of this

bewildering diversity. Tripura is home to different
ethnic groups and faiths, who celebrate life through their music, dance, fine arts,
folklore, architecture and handicrafts.

Population & Tribes- With a total area of 10,486 square km, the state’s population is
36.74 lakh (Census 2011). Besides its indigenous tribal communities, it has welcomed
non-tribal communities at various points of time. According to the Census 2011,
indigenous tribes consisting of 19 tribal communities constitute 31.05 per cent of the
state’s population, while 69.95 per cent are non- tribals. Among the tribals, the Tripuris
or Debbarman communities form a vast majority, while the nontribal population
comprises largely Bengalis and a small number of Meiteis and Vishnupriya Manipuris.
Language- The major languages spoken by the people of Tripura are Bengali, Kokborok
and its variants, and Manipuri

Culture- Different tribal groups follow their own festivals, rituals and traditions. Inhabiting
different parts of the hilly region, they contribute significantly towards the cultural and
economic vibrancy of the state. Religious diversity is reflected in the existence of
different religious faiths. Hinduism is the major religion in the state. Some of the other
religions that are practised here are Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Most of the tribes
are followers of Hinduism and worship their own tribal deities. Some of the significant
deities worshipped here are ‘Buraha’, ‘Bonirao’, ‘Uma’, ‘Goraiya’, ‘Jampira’, ‘Mangisiri’,
‘Lampra’, ‘Khulma’, etc. ‘Tripura Sundari’ is one of the most popular deities who is
revered by many and is popularly known as ‘Sharoshi’ or ‘Rajarajeshwari’. The
Chakmas, Uchai and Mogs are followers of Buddhism.

H. SIKKIM-

Sikkim has four districts, namely East District, West District, South District and North
District with their respective headquarters in Gangtok, Gyalshing, Namchi and Mangan.
The total area
of Sikkim is 7,096 sq. km.
Population & Tribes- The three principal ethnic communities of Sikkim— Lepchas
(Rongs), Bhutias (Khampas) and Nepalese are nature-worshippers, while also
practising Buddhism and Hinduism. The Kanchenjunga peak is regarded as a guardian
deity by the Lepchas, and worship of the mountain is a major annual event in Sikkim
followed by all communities. Regardless of caste, creed, religion and gender, the people
enjoy equal status. There is no gender disparity and discrimination. This has led to the
empowerment of women in economic roles and decision making.

Language- Nepali is the lingua franca of Sikkim. However, English and Hindi are also
spoken and understood in most part of the state. Other languages spoken include
Bhutia, Gurung, Lepcha, Limbu, Magar, Majhi, Newari, Rai, Sherpa, Sunuwar, Tamang,
Tibetan and Yakha.

Culture- Festivals in Sikkim are held during the time of planting, harvest and other such
occasions. Among the most important festivals is the one held to worship
Kanchenjunga, which is the third
highest peak in the world and is regarded as a protecting deity by the people of Sikkim.
Lord Buddha’s birthday is celebrated every year on the tenth day in the month of
Vaishakha (April-May). On this day, village people observe the Bhutia festival
‘Chhechu’, when the lamas, lamis and lay Buddhists visit monasteries. The public
generally visit the Tagmoche monastery to make offerings of ghee and butter for lamps
that are lighted before the image of the Lord.

GLOBALISATION
The term ‘Globalization’ is in itself self-explanatory. It is a global platform for maintaining
evenness in the living mode of the individuals all over the world. Globalisation is the
resultant of the interchange of worldly views, opinions and varied aspects of the culture
all over the world. This is the method of giving the globalised world a way of intermixing
of individuals from various segments, culture and lingos and figure out how to move and
approach socially without harming and influencing every others' prestige and glory.
Globalization highly affects social, fiscal, political, and mutual existence of nations.
Plentiful hypothetical investigations exhibited that globalization mediates in a social
existence of people that pertains various basic issues. Globalization is depicted by
scholars as the procedure through which social orders and economies are incorporated
through cross-border flows of thoughts, correspondence, innovation, capital, individuals,
finances, merchandise, administrations, services and information. The term
globalization means international integration, the world trade prospects being opened,
development of advanced means of communication, internationalization of financial
markets, growing importance of MNC's and population migrations. It has also widened
the scope of the mobility of persons, goods, capital, data and ideas. It is a way through
which the dissimilar world is unified into one society. The wave of globalization started
entering and effecting India at the end of the last century and still the country is flowing
with the present of global changes.
Globalization has both positive and negative effects all through the globe. May it be
business, trade, and work exposure or the economic and financial status of the nation;
no field is deserted from the scope of globalization. The culture and way of living of any
nation does not just depict the region and dialect of the locale, yet it also shows with the
attitude and mindset of its people. Indian culture is very rich for its legacy and assets,
and the warm approach of its residents. India is bunch of flowers consisting of various
religion, languages, food, cuisine and edibles, convention, custom, music,
craftsmanship and architecture and so forth, packaged into a solitary unit of patriotism
and solidarity. The common factor of these varieties is the Indian attitude of greeting,
welcoming, celebrating unitedly with immense friendship and harmony. This is the rich
embodiment of the Indian culture that has pulled in numerous non-natives to remain
back in India and blend into its interminable fragrance. When we analyze this rich
culture with the globalization perspective, we can discover many inferences of
westernization and blending of different attributes and societies into our delightfully
woven cover. As every coin has two sides likewise globalization also has its positive
and negative effects. The effects of globalization on Indian society and culture are as
follows:

 Family Structure and Role of Women in Family: The joint family which had
been the basis of traditional Indian families has undergone serious changes.
Those residing in the metropolitan cities in the small flat culture prefer nuclear
families. We have lost the persistence to get balanced into the joint family,
assimilating the experiences of the older folks and getting the youthful ones
raised under the shadow of their grandparents. Kids have begun treating
grandparents like visitors or guests, and such upbringing of children is one of the
principle reasons of expanding old-age homes, as those youngsters think about
their own parents as burden in their adulthood. Although women and men are
equal before the law and therefore the trend toward gender equality has been
noticeable, women and men still occupy distinct functions in Indian society.
Woman's role within the society is usually to perform family and household
 related activities. However, with the change in time men and women are gaining
equal right to education, to earn, and to articulate.

 Marriage System and Values: Additionally, marriages in comparison to earlier

times have lost their values and morality. It is especially obvious from the
expanding number of separation cases and extra-marital affairs reported every
now and then. Marriage used to be considered as bonding of souls which will be
connected even after the demise of the partners; yet today marriage resembles
an expert bond or a purported pledge to share existence without bargaining their
self-interests. Traditional ways of arranged marriages by the parents consent has
been replaced by marriage by own liking by the partners. The sense of self factor
into the Indian youth is again a result of globalization.

 Infidelity: Both the genders had to maintain a distance as much as possible, with
numerous confinements and impediments for a very long time in our culture and
way of life. With the rise of globalization and western culture, youth have begun
mixing up well with each other. The cordial approach and the mingling are
apparent. The aggregate breakout of restrictions has tainted the Indian mentality,
playing up with the physical relationship. A new type of relationship concepts
namely live-in-relationship has emerged. Additionally the exaggerated cases of
sexual offense cases are the results of the perverted mind that are very much the
values considerably alien to our mother culture.
 Festivals and Social Values: We have the included values of treating the
guests as God, warm-hearted welcoming, greeting elders with due respect and a
celebrating every small festival with great colour of enjoyment and togetherness.
Such a wide gathering with full shade and light can barely be seen today.
Individuals have profoundly limited themselves in social collaboration. The
relation in present generation is exceptionally conciliatory thinking about the
money related status and riches. We are losing our social morals and ideals and
happy moments of harmony and peace. The present age generation is glad
observing Valentine's Day and friendship day than Holi and Diwali. Traditionally
namaste, namaskar or touching of feet of elders is a common way of greeting in
the Indian subcontinent. But in modern times ‘Hi’, ‘Hello’ is used to greet people
in place of Namaskar.
 Food, Clothing and Dialect: Indian food, attire and dialects are different in
different states. The food varies in its taste having its own nutrient values and
each region is specific and rich in its resto rative arrangements with the home
cures. Indeed, even the attire fluctuates in various states which are especially
specific in keeping up the nobility of lady. The various cuisines from different
places throughout the
world however have
distinctive flavours to
include; still the food
ingredients that have
inflicted with much
popularity are the junk
food items which have
increased the health
disorders in the
country. Again, the
dressing like the
clothes for the males
are an unseemly comfortable for the India n climate. The female dresses are
again a diversion to the tainted minds. Indeed, even the Indians are not in favour
of promoting their mother tongue or our national language. Rather, the
adolescent today view it as a disgraceful condition to talk in their national dialect
Hindi. The manner in which the foreign languages are getting common in India
like the French, German and Spanish, right from the school level, gives the
examples of the amount of significance we give to Indian dialects and languages
in contrast with the remote ones.

 Work and Agricultural Sector: India was overwhelmingly an agriculture based

nation. With the propelled globalization and springing up of MNCs, the farming
and agriculture has lost its prime importance in India. Agriculture science has
minimal concentration among the youths who consider cultivating as a
despicable calling. We are losing our wellbeing and our status and gradually
getting to the period of financial servitude because of these MNCs.
 Education Sector: There are significant effects in academic sector because of
globalisation like higher literacy rate and foreign universities collaborating with
different Indian universities. The Indian academic system faces challenges of
globalisation through info-technology although it offers opportunities to evolve
new paradigms shifts in developmental education. Globalization promotes new
tools and techniques such as E-learning, flexible learning, distance education
programs and overseas training programs.

 Indian Business Culture: The foreign culture has both constructive and contrary
impact on individuals and business firms. New ways of thinking and working has
developed leading to higher efficiency. Indian organizations have embraced
international accounting standards, Just-in-time and other more effective
methods of stock control, flexitime and new practices of human asset
administration, social duty and business morals thoughts, improvement in
corporate governance practices, customer relationship management practices,
inflow of outside assets and healthy competition with foreign products. The
business area in India is profoundly encouraging in the present situation. The
effect of globalization has changed the business system in India in terms of
psychology, approach, innovation, attitude, work culture and so on. As a
consequence of globalisation Indian industries are adapting themselves to newer
challenges and taking benefit from the new and better opportunities making their
business all the more profitable with prospects of future growth. The colossal
populace of India has made a huge unsaturated market of customers. This is one
reason why worldwide organizations are particularly inspired in doing business in
India. In the post globalization period this degree has expanded enormously for
worldwide multinational organizations as Government of India has likewise
played an exceptionally essential and steady part in this regard through changed
liberalized strategies and administrative structure.

 Space, Science and Technology: India has created a distinct place in the field
of space science and technology viz. launch services, earth observation,
communication & navigation and application of space technology for national
development. Today, India stands one amongst the top six space faring nations
in the world. The areas that are benefitted/ seemingly to be benefitted with the
use of space technology and its applications embrace – resource monitoring,
weather forecasting, telecommunication, broadcasting, rural connectivity, health
& education, governance, disaster management support, location based
services, space commerce together with host of social applications.