The Concept of Tribe in sociology
Relevant for Sociology Optional for Civil Service Examination.
Sociology Paper -2
Unit 2 : Social Structure
The Concept of Tribe in sociology
The Constitution of India acknowledges a group known as Scheduled Tribes, providing special provisions for their political representation, as well as economic and social welfare. Anthropologists, like Lewis Morgan, historically debated the definition of tribes, with little attention given to India’s tribal communities. 19th-century scholars, influenced by evolutionary theory, viewed tribes as a stage in social evolution. This perspective, revived by Marshall Sahlins and critiqued by Godelier, argues that understanding tribes requires viewing them as a stage in social evolution. Unlike 19th-century views, it’s recognized that tribes precede states and civilizations in social evolution.
Sahlins, in his initial essay, identified a segmentary structure as the defining feature of tribes. British anthropologists working in Africa highlighted differences between centralized and segmentary societies. However, Gluckman argued that the distinction between tribes with chiefs and those without is less absolute. Despite analytical distinctions, the term “tribe” is broadly applied to bands, segmentary systems, and chiefdoms. The Scheduled Tribes in India represent various tribal organizational modes, from bands to chiefdoms, reflecting historical changes.
Tribal societies in India face challenges in discriminating between different modes of tribal organization and drawing clear lines between tribal and non-tribal societies. Encounters between tribes and civilization in India date back to recorded history. The distinction between tribes and castes, as noted in Hindu civilization, involves isolated communities in hills and forests versus settled communities with a more elaborate division of labor. Transformation from tribes to castes has been documented, and distinguishing tribes from castes is challenging at their meeting points.
The distinctive condition of tribes in India lies in their isolation, mainly in interior hills and forests. While tribes may vary in isolation, none are entirely free from civilization’s influence. The isolation, whether self-imposed or forced, hindered material culture growth but preserved distinctive speech. Today, language serves as a significant indicator of the tribe-caste distinction, as castes speak major literary languages, while tribes often have their own dialects. However, exceptions exist, such as some western Indian tribes adopting regional languages.
Reference: Static Portion
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
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