Paper Details

Name: Munmi Gogoi, Jonison Daulagajau
Country: India

Year: 2025
Volume: Volume-12, Issue-2 (July-December)
Page Number: 397-403
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18104970

The purpose of this study is to explore the intricate conflicts that may arise from an identity crisis within a community as it endeavors to integrate into a larger social group. To truly understand one's identity, individuals must embark on a journey of introspection, grappling with profound questions such as "Who am I?" and "Who are we?" This introspective journey underscores the notion that identity is not only a fundamental human desire but also a critical factor in many enduring social conflicts. Historically, Assam has stood as a vibrant crossroads of various ethnicities and cultural groups, often referred to as the gateway to Northeast India. Among the notable communities in Assam are the Adivasis, whose history is deeply intertwined with colonial narratives. These individuals are primarily the descendants of migrant laborers transported by the British colonial administration from what are now the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of West Bengal. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, as the tea industry rapidly expanded in Assam, the British East India Company sought to fill the labor gap by bringing in these workers, largely because the indigenous Assamese population was often hesitant to engage in plantation work. This study will delve into the identity conflicts faced by the Adivasis as they navigate the complexities of adapting to a dominant culture that overshadows their own. The central focus of the essay will be to conduct a thorough theoretical analysis of the pertinent facts and an extensive review of the existing literature related to this significant issue. By examining these dynamics, the study aims to shed light on how identity struggles manifest in the context of cultural integration and community belonging.
Keywords: Identity, Migration, Conflicts, Assimilation.