Religion and Identity Politics in the Indian Himalayas: Religious Change and Identity Construction Among the Limboos of Sikkim

• Main Author: Gustavsson, Linda
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Subjects: Change; Himalaya; Identity; India; Politics; Religious

This thesis analyzes the emergence of identity politics and religious change among the Limboos in the small mountainous state of Sikkim located in the eastern Indian Himalayas. The Limboos are underrepresented in research, and this study attempts to deepen our understanding of this ethnic group by describing and analyzing their ritual traditions which constitute part of their current identity politics. The ritual traditions are connected with processes of religious and cultural transitions occurring among the Limboos and largely promoted by Limboo ethnic associations. The Limboo ritual traditions are diverse and appear to have many similarities with the rituals of other Himalayan groups. The household, clan and geographical origin play important roles in ritual contexts; important are also the reciprocal relationships between village households during life-cycle rituals. The Limboos use of ritual specialists from other ethnic groups indicates fluid and flexible ethnic and religious boundaries. In the contemporary ethno-political landscape of the state, we see competing assertions of ethnic identities as part of the desire to be recognized and visible to their surroundings. The religious changes promoted by the Limboo associations connect to processes of Limboo identity construction, where borders are clearly drawn between themselves and others. The association members position as cultural engineers and promoters of religious change is a powerful one, and enables the Limboos to further define and re-define religious and cultural aspects in accordance to their interests. Processes of religious synthesis are evident, and the associations are attempting to create a seemingly new institutionalized religious category, that of Yumaism. By incorporating elements from what we may categorize as belonging to Great Traditions , such as: temples, study centers, symbols, festivals, a great deity, a museum etc., help to construct physical façades in the Sikkimese landscape which emphasize their belonging to the land and display a strong and united community with a distinct and respected religion.