Understanding Loss of Cultural Practices in Tribal Communities: Observations from Hatkarra Village, Chhattisgarh, India

By : Abhik Sengupta , Kiran Bhairannavar

Page No: 386-397

Abstract
The paper explores the idea of development and its effects on the cultural practices of tribes in India. Taking ethnographic snapshots of tribal communities in Hatkarra Village in Chhattisgarh, argues that state-led development, forces of globalization, and acculturation processes pose a danger in the loss of cultural practices that are central to making sense of the tribal community lifeworld. The paper provides three examples to make the case, namely, education, language, and festivals. The paper is organized into three sections. Firstly, we discuss Tribes and Development in India, where we trace the conceptualization of Tribes. Secondly, we briefly give the background of the village and the research method. Lastly, three ethnographic observations are presented to support the argument.

Authors :
Abhik Sengupta : The New School, New York, USA.
Kiran Bhairannavar : Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/ATNAGI.2023.43.02.10