Representation, resistance and cultural hybridity of the Naga Indigenous people in India

Abstract

Governments have been criticized for being major actors in creating Indigenous identities. This study investigates the Indian Government's official touristic representations of the Naga Indigenous people and how the Nagas endeavor to develop their own self-representations. Findings reveal that the Indian Government represents the Nagas as timeless which rekindles internal colonialism. Conversely, the Nagas articulate cultural resistance towards the hegemonic Indian discourses thus seeking for social justice. They express Naga discourse through their religion (Christianity) to emphasize on modernity and enhance collective identity, but most importantly to oppose the Hindu and Muslim religions in mainland India. This study intends to make a theoretical contribution to tourism literature by revealing the hybridized nature of Naga identity, which contests established categorizations of culture and identity through ‘third spaces’.