Alternative Modernity in Santhal Community

Abstract

The thesis entitled “Alternative Modernity in Santhal Community” deals with the changes came into light on the Santhal community of Jhapa district caused by the impacts of modernization and other advanced neighboring cultures. Due to such impacts of modernity Santhal Community are on the vertex of change. Every ethnic group in this world and here in case of ethnic groups of Nepal are assimilating changes in their socio-cultural and economic practices and Santhals from southern eastern Terai belt are no more exception to this. Now they have accepted different means of modern science and technology in their daily lives and behaviors to ease their livelihood. Though assimilated of cultures and social-cultural behaviors of other advanced neighboring social groups have changed their lifestyle and made it comfortable, such assimilation have at the same time, on the other hand, appears to be threatening to their cultures. Such reforms of culture and social behaviors have created hybrid culture throughout the social life of this ethnic group. Even in such diverse effects of globalization, Santhals are capable enough to preserve their few important cultural activities and it is worth mentioning. Their culture is in glocalized form which is taken as form of alternative modernity.