Paper short abstract:

In India the study of tribal religion is neglected. Colonial and post-colonial anthropologists alike described ‘tribal religion’ in terms of a set of ‘primitive values’ surviving in Hindu religion in India, ignoring the basic concepts and practices of the tribespeople. Recent trends suggest the revival of elements of tribal religion by those who had adopted ‘other’ religions. Our case studies will include some belief systems from eastern India and some from eastern Himalaya region, particularly shamanistic religions of Sikkim besides discussing the Donyi-Polo, Haraka, Sanamahi, Bodo and such other religious systems.

Paper long abstract:

There is urgent need to place theory of indigeneity in wider context and from native perspective. The essentialising of culture and notions of cultural purity and 'authenticity' are dismissed in post-modern-anthropology. In India the study of tribal religion is neglected. Colonial and post-colonial anthropologists alike described 'tribal religion' in terms of a set of 'primitive values' surviving in Hindu religion in India, ignoring the basic concepts and practices of the tribespeople. Recent trends suggest the revival of elements of tribal religion by those who had adopted 'other' religions. Today old theories such as "Sanskitization" and "spread in Hinduism" models and "acculturation" theory do not help us to comprehend indigenous religions. In country like India in stead of seeing the reality in terms of polarized identity there is need for recognizing the pluralist culture. New vision has emerged in post-modern anthropology in which syncretic processes are considered basic to religion. Syncretism is a term, which in comparative religion refers to a process of religious amalgamation, of blending heterogeneous beliefs and practices. Our studies reveal that the processes of culture change and syncretism have been at work at various levels, depending on nature of contact with other cultures and languages. Our case studies will include some belief systems from eastern India and some from eastern Himalaya region, particularly shamanistic religions of Sikkim besides discussing the Donyi-Polo, Haraka, Sanamahi, Bodo and such other religious systems.