International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160   •   Impact Factor: 9.24

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Preserving Tradition Amidst Modern Schooling: The Interplay of Education and Cultural Identity in the Lisu (Yobin) Tribe

Author(s) JYOTHI RAJU GADDAPATI
Country India
Abstract This article examines how formal education influences cultural continuity and communal identity among the Lisu (Yobin) tribe in northeastern India. Predominantly Christian for over seven decades, the Lisu nevertheless retain selective elements from older spiritual traditions in marriage, childbirth, and funerary practices. A mixed-methods design combined qualitative interviews (n = 46) and focus groups (n = 7) with quantitative surveys (n = 406). The analysis focused on rituals (marriage, childbirth, death) and language usage, contextualized by the tribe’s remote setting in Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh. Most participants view education as crucial for preserving intangible heritage: 94% believe local schools can reinforce Lisu language and cultural references. A minority, however, highlights tensions—religious practices, out-migration for schooling, and standardized curricula overshadowing clan-based knowledge. Despite faith ethics guiding daily life and new gravel roads (built in 2022) enhancing connectivity, symbolic vestiges of older ritual elements (e.g., postpartum warming, once-common multi-day vigils) persist. This showcases a selective fusion of tradition and modern influences.

Village councils, educators, and NGOs should ensure formal schooling does not sideline local languages or reduce ancestral customs to “folklore.” Supporting bilingual instruction, documenting unique rites, and organizing cultural events on school premises can help preserve these practices. By examining a predominantly Christian tribal group that still retains selective pre-Christian traditions, this study broadens understanding of how smaller frontier communities integrate external educational frameworks without relinquishing core communal ethos. The research highlights the Lisu’s strategic adaptations—such as mother-tongue instruction, digital archiving, and ritual reenactments—thereby offering practical insights for educators, policymakers, and NGOs seeking culturally responsive approaches. This nuanced perspective underscores that modern schooling need not displace indigenous identity; rather, locally attuned innovations can reinforce intangible heritage even amid socio-economic pressures.
Keywords Lisu (Yobin), Cultural Preservation, Indigenous Knowledge, Rituals, Language, Bilingual Education
Field Arts
Published In Volume 7, Issue 1, January-February 2025
Published On 2025-01-21
Cite This Preserving Tradition Amidst Modern Schooling: The Interplay of Education and Cultural Identity in the Lisu (Yobin) Tribe - JYOTHI RAJU GADDAPATI - IJFMR Volume 7, Issue 1, January-February 2025.
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E-ISSN 2582-2160
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