A theological study of identity among the tribal people of North-East India with a special reference to the Kukis of Manipur

This thesis investigates the struggle for identity among the tribal people of North-East India with a special reference to the Kuki people of Manipur. It explores the cultural and religious traditions of the people and the changes brought to them in the process of western colonial administration and Christianization in the early part of the twentieth century. It also investigates the socio-political and cultural situation of the people under the Independent India. The thesis explores debates within sociology between primordialist and constructivist theoretical perspectives and concludes that, while identity is a social construct, it reflects the real socio-economic, cultural and political context within which it emerges and real struggles for justice and dignity on the part of marginalised peoples. It is in this light that the current ethnic movements in North-East India are understood and their limitations are described and shown to result from the lack of a critical theological reflection. This study demonstrates that Christianity, although playing an important role in the formation of the peoples’ identity in the new setting, neglected their traditional cultural values and hence became a factor contributing to the peoples’ identity crisis. Dalit theology is taken as a dialogue partner in search of relevant theological response to the issue, but it is pointed out that while they have much in common, the additional task for tribal theology is to take into consideration the primal religious past as well as the difficult and complex socio-political realities shaping their present experience in a post-colonial, globalised world. The thesis outlines aspects of Kuki tradition which may contribute to a local theology and, in that process, can shape a new sense of identity, restoring dignity to the Kuki, while respecting the freedom and humanity of other peoples.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo