Debating Tipra Identity and its Manifestation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69974/glskalp.04.03.74Keywords:
Identity, Kokborok, Tipra, Tribal, TripuraAbstract
When we talk of identity, we begin to interrogating ourselves, who we are, who I am? We generally delve into state’s history and its people. But what do we mean by identity? In what way and on what basis this identity is constructed or formed whether its language, religion history, physical attributes, custom, mores, or norms? The Kokborok speaking indigenous people of Tripura are recognised with such name as ‘pahari’, ‘upajati ‘, ‘janjati ‘, ‘adivasi’ by the mainstream people. Due to different version of nomenclature as identified by the dominant community, the indigenous people of Tripura face identity problem. State’s history narratives play a central role in constructing and sustaining their uniqueness in the world. Even script/language and practices has a basic role in supporting this identity acquired by the predecessor. But when such history, chronicles, script, language, culture, toponymy becomes distorted, then there might occur multiple problem of identification for building a national identity. This paper introduces the concept of ‘Tipra’ as a collective identity of the indigenous people in the state for self-determination and recognition. This article examines how state’s history, chronicles, script and language as source is important in constructing the identity of the ‘Tipra’. It further explains how documentary as a method of enquiry is used to analyze and interpret the evidences.
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