Neotraditionalism and Indigenous Governance: Balancing Traditions with Emerging Challenges

Abstract

The traditional institutions in many parts of the world have managed to respond to various external political change and pressures and maintained their position within society. What is more important is that traditional institutions have been constantly adapted to accommodate new circumstances, as the social and economic organisation of societies has changed particularly over the last century due to rapid urbanisation and globalisation, as well as the standardisation of liberal politics. Against this backdrop, this article examines the existence and survival of traditional institutions in the hill state of Sikkim, India, through the prism of neotraditionalism. In other words, this article seeks to address the question that how traditional institutions, which are embedded in neotraditional structures, have survived and repositioned in the new democratic system. Besides, the author attempts to show how neotraditional actors like Pipon and village elders are involved in the development arena and managed to attain a semblance of balance between tradition and modernity without destroying the foundation of tribal society and culture.