Whether traditional or modern, the pursuit of self-governance is fundamental to an Indigenous community’s ability to advance its collective interests and preserve its identity. The Karbi (one of the earliest hill tribes of Assam, India; previously known as Mikir) have both traditional and modern administrative bodies that coexist. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, a contemporary democratic institution, relies on traditional institutions when making judgements about customary laws and regulations. In exchange, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council supports traditional Karbi institutions, fostering an interdependent relationship. Both institutions aim to promote the unique cultural identity of the Karbi people. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council extended support to improve the traditional institution and elevate its customs by establishing village courts governed by customary laws. However, differences and similarities exist in their operations. This study investigates the symbiotic relationship between these two forms of self-governance, exploring how traditional values coexist with modern democracy. The research was conducted using qualitative methodology.
ArthapariaR. P. (1996). Traditional political system: A case study of the Karbis of Assam. In SenguptaS. (Ed.), People of North East India: Anthropological perspectives (pp. 199–220). Gyan Publishing House.
2.
BarkatakiS. (1969). Tribes of Assam. National Book Trust.
3.
BarkatakiS. (1981). Assam at a glance. Bani Prakash.
4.
BaruahP. P.DekaB. (2018). Shifting paradigm: Politics of transition in Karbi Anglong. Journal of North East India Studies, 8(2), 1–16.
5.
BhattacharjeeT. (1986). Sociology of Karbis. B.R. Publishing Corporation.
6.
BhuyanB. C. (1989). District council and the State government: Karbi Anglong District Council and the Government of Assam. The Indian Journal of Political Science, 50(2), 221–233. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41855907
7.
BoakyeP. A.BélandD. (2019). Explaining chieftaincy conflict using historical institutionalism: A case study of the Ga Mashie chieftaincy conflict in Ghana. African Studies, 78(3), 403–422.
8.
BordoloiB. N.Thakur SarmahG. C.SaikiaM. C. (1987). Tribes of Assam (Part-1). Tribal Research Institute.
9.
ChhetriD. P. (2022). Neotraditionalism and Indigenous governance: Balancing traditions with emerging challenges. Indian Journal of Public Administration, 68(1), 8–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/00195561211058771
10.
ChinsingaB. (2006). The interface between tradition and modernity: The struggle for political space at the local level in Malawi. Civilisations, 54(1–2), 255–274. https://doi.org/10.4000/civilisations.498
11.
DansoE. (2020). Traditional political institution in modern democratic governance in Ghana: The case of Akim Abuakwa traditional area. Journal of Sociology and Social Work, 8(2), 60–72. https://doi.org/10.15640/jssw.v8n2a7
12.
DasG. N. (2006). Tribal tradition and development in the hill areas of Assam. Assam Institute of Research for Tribal and Scheduled Castes.
13.
DasJ. N., Law Research Institute – Eastern Region, & North Eastern Council. (1987). A study of administration of justice among the Tribes and Races of North Eastern Region (excluding Nagaland and Meghalaya)(Part 2). The Institute.
14.
DubeyA. (2021). Good governance in India: Role of political parties. BFC Publications.
15.
DhanarajuV.TeronD. (2020). Karbi history: Past and present. Mittal Publications.
16.
EngleK. (2010). The elusive promise of Indigenous development: Rights, culture, strategy. Duke University Press.
17.
GassahL. S. (2005). Traditional system of governance among the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos of Meghalaya and the changes thereof. In Joshua ThomasC. (Ed.), Polity and economy: Agenda for contemporary North East India (pp. 82–89). Regency Publications.
18.
GogoiC. (2022). Governing their way: Traditional self-governing institutions among the Tai Khamtis of Arunachal Pradesh. Contemporary Voice of Dalit. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/2455328X221106031
HagmannT.HoehneM. V. (2008). Failures of the state failure debate: Evidence from the Somali territories. Journal of International Development, 21(1), 42–57. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.1482
21.
HinzM. O. (2008). Traditional governance and African customary law: Comparative observations from a Namibian perspective. Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Namibia, 20(2), 59–87.
22.
HolzingerK.KernF. G.KromreyD. (2016). The dualism of contemporary traditional governance and the State. Political Research Quarterly, 69(3), 469–481. https://doi.org/10.1177/1065912916648013
RaoN. S. (2007). Interface of tribal self-governance institutions and statutory panchayat: A study in the scheduled areas of Andhra Pradesh. National Institute of Rural Development. http://nirdpr.org.in/nird_docs/srsc/srsc230217-19.pdf
28.
RongpharB. (2005). Political history of Karbi Anglong. Phu Phu Publishing.
SarmahA.GogoiC. (2010). Role of traditional institutions in governance—Experience from Karbi Anglong, Assam. Voice of Dalit, 3(2), 265–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/0974354520100209
31.
SarmahJ.NathD. (2017). Local governance: Traditional construction and post-colonial contradictions in the Karbi community of Assam. Indian Journal of Public Administration, 59(4), 867–874. https://doi.org/10.1177/0019556120130408
