Education, Technology and Cultural Change: A Review of Social, Cultural and Religious Practices of the ADI Community of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Arunachal Pradesh is a home to twenty six major tribes and more than fifty sub-tribes. A majority of the people are of Mongoloid race with unique characteristics in terms of dress, language and customs. The tribal societies follow patriarchal and primogeniture system and practice endogamy while strictly observing the law of clan exogamy. However, with the advent of technology and advancement in the field of education, there have been significant changes in the practice of the traditional customs and socio-religious beliefs so much so that a majority of such practices are on the verge of extinction. The paper takes into account the cultural and religious practices followed by the Adi community of the state and will analyse some of the major changes witnessed during the recent times through the prism of education and technological intervention. Quantitative data has been collected using two questionnaires for a sample size of 700 Adi households in Pasighat. Descriptive results were used in analysing the data. From the survey, it has been found that lack of written literature has resulted in non-institutionalization of cultural practices and dialects. Further, the popularity of social media technology amongst the youth has weaned them away from the traditional belief systems. English education and being IT savvy guarantee secure jobs, social status and a mark of sophistication rather than following indigenous customs and religious beliefs.

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Author Information
Raju Barthakur, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, India,
Niti Taki, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, India

• Category: Technology and Society: The Social and Societal Impact and Implications of Technology

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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