Ritualistic Modification of Astimki: A Study Of Cultural Hybridization in Tharu Culture

Abstract

This field-based research paper entitled "Ritualistic Modification of Astimki: A Study of Cultural Hybridization in Tharu Culture" moves around the impacts of modernization and the other neighboring cultures in Tharu community. It studies the continuity and change of Astimki festival and explores how the cultural assimilation, globalization, development of science and technology affect the Astimki festival especially to the new generation. The objective of this study is to show how cultural hybridity is going to be dominant among Tharu people. To support the idea, the notions of cultural hybridity by Homi K Bhabha, Chris Barker and Ashcroft are used as theoretical tool. However, Tharu have adopted some traits of other Nepali cultures and global culture in terms of language, rituals and festivals as well as the impacts of information and technology, they have also managed to conserve and promote some tribal cultural patterns of their own cultural identity.