IDENTIFYING ST’S: GOVERNANCE
NEWS: What makes a tribe? Top anthropologists say the answer lies on a spectrum, not in a binary classification
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
Experts are advocating for a shift from rigid criteria to a "spectrum of tribalness" to better define tribes in India, considering cultural, historical, and self-identification aspects. This proposal comes amid growing demands for ST status, including by the Meitei community in Manipur.
1. Current Criteria for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Classification
• The Union government follows the criteria set by the Lokur Committee in 1965 for classifying tribes as Scheduled Tribes (ST). These criteria include:
• Primitive Traits: Features that indicate a community’s primitive or early-stage development.
• Distinctive Culture: Unique cultural traits that distinguish them from the mainstream population.
• Geographical Isolation: Living in isolated or remote regions, often away from mainstream society.
• Shyness of Contact: A tendency to avoid interactions with larger or more dominant social groups.
• Backwardness: Economic and social underdevelopment compared to the general population.
• Criticism: Experts argue that these criteria are outdated, condescending, and no longer meaningful. The rigid and narrow definition does not accurately capture the complexities of tribal identity and modern-day tribal communities.
2. Need for a New Approach to Defining Tribes
• Lack of Fit with Current Criteria: No community fully meets the existing criteria, leading to debates about their applicability.
• Proposal for Spectrum of Tribalness: Scholars and anthropologists propose a shift from a binary classification system (tribe vs. non-tribe) to a “spectrum of tribalness,” recognizing varying degrees of tribal characteristics in communities.
• Systematic Classification Tool: The Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) are working on developing a more systematic and flexible tool for classifying tribes that could address these complexities.
3. Proposed Indicators for Defining ‘Tribalness’
• Social Institutions: This includes marriage customs, kinship systems, and the classification of relatives. These social structures are key to understanding a community's social fabric.
• Rituals and Practices: The specific rituals, ceremonies, and practices that define a community’s identity. These are important indicators of cultural continuity and tribal heritage.
• Language and Dialect: Language is a critical marker of tribal identity. Linguistic traits, including dialects specific to a community, will be considered.
• Material Culture: Physical cultural aspects, such as clothing, headgear, weaponry, and other artifacts, will help gauge tribalness.
• Self-Identification: The way a community perceives itself and defines its own tribal identity is crucial. Communities should be able to self-identify without being forced into external classifications.
• Multiple Indicators: Rather than just five rigid criteria, experts suggest using up to 150 indicators, including both tangible (material culture, language) and intangible (social structures, self-identification) markers.
4. Concept Note & Policymaking
• Persistent Difficulty in Defining Tribes: A concept note highlights the ongoing challenges faced in developing a clear, universally accepted definition of tribes.
• Ethnographic Reports for Policymaking: A more detailed and systematic classification will aid Tribal Research Institutions (TRIs) in preparing ethnographic reports. These reports will be important for making informed decisions regarding tribal welfare and policymaking.
5. Growing Demands for ST Status
• Number of ST Entries: India currently recognizes 756 Scheduled Tribes (including sub-entries), with 27 additional communities added since the 2011 Census.
• Inclusion Requests: Hundreds of communities are seeking inclusion in the ST list, driven by the benefits that come with ST status, such as reservation in education, jobs, and political representation.
• Inter-community Conflicts: The process of adding new communities to the ST list has sometimes led to conflicts between communities, as seen in Manipur, where the Meitei community’s demand for ST status has led to disputes with other tribal groups like the Kuki-Zo and Naga tribes.
6. Civilisational Approach vs. Evolutionary Approach
• Evolutionary Approach: Historically, some countries, like Australia and China, have defined tribal populations based on an evolutionary framework, which tends to view tribal societies as "primitive" or "backward" relative to modern societies.
• Civilisational Approach: Scholars in India are advocating for a shift toward a historical or civilisational approach, which focuses on understanding tribes in their own context and from their own perspective. This approach ensures that communities are seen as they view themselves, rather than through the lens of outsiders who define them as “other.”
• Self-Perception: The new approach would respect the communities’ own understanding of their identity and history, rather than imposing external criteria that may be out of touch with the realities of tribal life today.
7. Importance of a Revised Classification System
• Better Governance: A revised classification system will contribute to better governance by making the process of identifying and assisting tribes more accurate and equitable.
• Equitable Distribution of Benefits: A more nuanced classification based on culture, history, and self-identification will ensure that benefits such as reservations, welfare programs, and political representation are more fairly distributed to the right communities.
• Conflict Resolution: By moving away from rigid definitions and considering the diverse needs of communities, a revised system can help resolve inter-community conflicts related to ST status and better address the grievances of those who seek inclusion in the ST category.
8. Conclusion
• Shifting Focus: The focus of tribal classification should shift from outdated and overly rigid criteria to a broader, more inclusive understanding that considers cultural, historical, and self-identified aspects of tribal communities. This will allow for a more accurate and respectful representation of tribal peoples, ensuring that their rights and identities are properly recognized.
• Potential for Positive Change: The proposed shift to a "spectrum of tribalness" will help better align the needs of tribal communities with government policies, promoting a more just and inclusive society that values the diversity of India’s tribal populations.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-makes-a-tribe-top-anthropologists-say-the-answer-lies-on-a-spectrum-not-in-a-binary-classification/article69334085.ece