Tribe, Region and Nation in the Context of the Indian State

Argues that current conceptualizations of "region" are problematic for India in that they have been homogenized & trivialized in Eurocentric analyses; the notion of "tribe" has suffered a similar fate, along with becoming racialized. The degradation of both terms by Western colonial powers is described, contending that both have, in the process, become separated from their concordance with the idea of nation & lost their political & social dimensions. Focusing on the case of postcolonial India, an attempt is made here to develop scientific definitions of tribe & region; theoretical & ideological difficulties with this venture are identified. It is argued that the so-called nation-state in India must recognize the "absurdity" of state boundaries & strive to restore & celebrate the unique cultural, religious, linguistic, knowledge, & other dimensions of the multitude of tribes within its borders. 10 References. K. Hyatt Stewart