Contents

Globalization is a worldwide phenomenon that facilitates the “shrinking” of the world as effect of technological advancement over the past recent times. Globalization is simply a process of “tearing down barriers between nations”. According to Kailash C. Baral, Globalization is

a process that cuts across the boundaries of nations, cultures and societies privileging a move towards larger integration of the world and facilitating interdependence moving towards a global culture.

In the Naga Hills, this sort of “adoption of western way of life” reaches through the means of education, religion and entertainment or media. Globalization as a concept is often “inevitably” misunderstood as westernization or “wes- ‘toxication’” in the Naga society.

However, globalization is brought about by modernization. These two phenomena are inseparably merged and carried out together in the context of the Naga society. In the study of the effect of modernization in the Naga society, it becomes almost impossible to refer to the effect of globalization. Thus, globalization will be dealt with extensively at par with modernization in this paper.

Though the consequences of globalization are varied, three such broad aspects will be analyzed, that isconfused identity among Naga youths, revival of traditionalism and apprehension against external influences.

I. EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION

A. Confused Identity among Naga Youth

According to a weekly poll conducted by a popular daily newspaper in Nagaland, the Morung Express on June 2008, 79% of the readers of the local newspaper believed that Naga youth of today are confused about their identity, while only about 5% said an absolute “no” against it. It went on to report how this is, according to the readers, because of the western (or external) influence.

The biggest issue perhaps concerning Naga youths on being influenced by westernization is in “the blind aping of imitation”[17] of what is projected in the cinema, music or internet. The Naga youths are “becoming more receptive and adaptive” to western influence which can and is becoming a vulnerability to be influenced by external ideas and these ideas dictating over what may be called the Naga perspective[18]. Naga youths are known for their extravagant lifestyle with a habit for overspending money that is the fruit of the sweat of their parents’ hard work. Fashion is the identity. What seemed alarming is that these progresses are happening within only recent generations. Almost overnight, the head hunting and traditionally proud Nagas have been westernized.

As a “copy-cat” of the pop culture in the media, Naga girls have taken to indecent fashion statement. Unfortunately, this indecency in their clothing has earned the Nagas a reputation of being “cheap” and “immoral beings”. Sexual abuse and rape cases are on the rise in the Naga society, which was unheard of earlier. Indecency by girls is one of the main attributed reasons along with externally influenced immoral behaviors like alcohol consumption[19].

As “helpful” suggestions or advices, Delhi Police published a booklet of code of conduct for North eastern students in the summer of 2007[20]. Among other culturally “insensitive” codes like abstaining from “smelly food” and making “ruckus” in the neighborhood with parties and revelries, it also included a suggestion for women to avoid wearing “revealing clothes”.

Whatever the intentions of the Delhi Police were, in any case what can be understood is that the image of the north eastern girls is so much tainted and has almost transformed the Naga girls in particular into what is called a “spice girls” image[21].

However, to think of this as entirely a western influence would be misleading. The success of Korean entertainment cannot be over exaggerated in the Naga society. The Arirang channel and Korean cinema have influenced and swept Nagas away from the “days of the West”[22]. However, this has resulted in the rise in “romantic awakening” among even young school children which is something very alien and unheard of in Naga tradition. Romantic relationships were fearfully and considerately approached in earlier days. But now, it is not uncommon to see even open display of affection even in front of elders.

The other confusion that Naga youths struggle with is their identity as Indians. As politically under the Indian government, Naga youths are technically Indians. However, Nagas acknowledge that they are not Indians but ethnically, historically and culturally distinct from India. This will be dealt with later in the paper.

While professing to the principle that Nagas are unique and supporting the demand for a separate nation status, the Nagas travel with Indian passport, use Indian money and sing the National Anthem like any other Indians. Those who study in the Indian mainland cities have absorbed the “Indian-ness” and are often criticized as “losing their identity”. The pluralistic society with the whirlpool of western (international) and Indian influence often leave the youth confused. However, with the “separatist tendency[23]” that the Hindu mainland-Indians have to “primitivizes[24]” tribals and their prejudices against the Northeasterners as seen illustrated by the publishing of the booklet by the Delhi Police, it is understandable that Naga youths develop a conflicting and contradicting self image.

B. Revival Of Traditionalism

Of late there have been efforts in the Naga Hills to revive the almost forgotten traditions[25] for instance, through events like the “Hornbill Festival” and the revival of the “morung” dormitory system.

There are visible growing interest in traditional festivals like the the Zeliangrong NgaiDai, Lui Ngai Ni, the Angami Sekrenyie, the Ao Moatsii Mong and so on[26]. In such festivals, the traditional Naga performance art is exhibited along with the handicraft and woodcarvings.

One of the most popular events in the Hornbill Festival is the opportunity to drink “local” rice beer. In fact alcohol consumption during the festive season rises and along with it, the party culture among young boys and girls. Another hugely popular event is the Rock concert which draws attention of even artists from the mainland India[27].

The festival is not really entirely cultural. However, this may be seen as an effort by the Naga to identify themselves as a unique and beautiful culture, in the midst of intercultural plurality and globalization.

Efforts to revive the traditional Morung dormitory system for bachelors are being organized[28]around the Naga Hills. Morungs are dormitories where bachelor young men and women (in separate locations) live and learn together. The medium is oral teaching delivered by elders (not particular persons) about the traditions and customs[29].

C. Nationalism

It would be wrong to say that nationalistic feelings arose only recently. Throughout the Naga history, Nagas had been independent and had resisted foreign or external (even Indian government) intervention into their sovereignty[30]. But as a result of growing ignorance among the youths about the Naga nationalistic history, there is expressed need to educate them of Naga tradition and culture so that the rich heritage may not become extinct in succeeding generations[31].

The efforts put forward by the government for the revival of festivals and other traditional systems have served their function well in that it had succeeded in creating a sense of awareness and self pride among the Nagas. Events like Hornbill Festival has created a forum for the culture and rich heritage of the Nagas to be expressed and exhibited to different parts the world, ironically made possible because of globalization.

As the society modernizes, young music artists from the Northeast, given the right exposure and opportunity are reaching the level of international music scenario[33]. These artists like Magdalene (Mizoram), Abiogenesis(Nagaland), Soulmate(Meghalaya), etc. are “rocking” national music scene, with Soulmate even being highly acclaimed in Europe. This has an effect of boosting the self-dignity of Northeast youths.

As a result of the realization of the artistic talent of the Naga youths, the Government of Nagaland organized support for budding artists under the Nagaland Music Task Force[35].

This development of local artistic talents is leading to a scenario where the earlier forms of “western” entertainment are slowly being replaced by that of the local entertainment industry. There is growing respect for local “acts” and performers in spite of the continuing international presence.

However this should not be misunderstood as stating that external influence is being wiped out. It remains that while the performers or artists are local, the art, music and what is produced is largely “western”, for example, rock, blues music and at best a combination or fusion of local and western music styles; for instance as done by the band ‘Abiogenesis’[36].

In some parts of the Naga Hills, there is a ban on Bollywood[37], which is the film industry of India. This is meant to express the unfriendliness toward whatever is Indian, and also as a precautionary step to counter the massive Indian influence as a result of Bollywood[38]. However, western influence remains “uncensored” and openly marketed.