TRIBAL COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS: THE PATH TO RESISTS MODERNIZATION IN 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

Anthropology and sociology generally use the word "tribe" to refer to a group of people who live in a smaller society but have their own unique way of life includes their own traditions, language, and ways of doing things. Tribes are usually smaller groups where everyone knows each other well as like a big family. A lot of the time, they live in places that have been important to them for a long time. In the past, tribes were mostly separate from each other and had their own leaders and rules. The word "tribe" can now also be used to describe groups that aren't necessarily in a remote area but stay together because they have a strong sense of who they are that is different from the culture around them (Elizabeth Prine Pauls, 2024). There are more than 476 million tribal people across 90 countries worldwide, making up about 6.2 percent of the global population. These communities are incredibly diverse, with over 5,000 distinct groups among them. Impressively, indigenous people are the primary speakers of the majority of the world’s roughly 7,000 languages (United Nations, n.d.). It is clear that the tribal communities are being independent and highly dependent upon the natural resources around them to sustain their life in the harshest zones of the world (Anup Kapoor & Jaspreet Kaur, n.d.). Their deep connection to the land and environment is a crucial aspect of their cultural identity and survival. Despite facing numerous challenges, indigenous peoples continue to strive for recognition, rights, and the preservation of their heritage. The way Indigenous people see their environment shows how important this link is to them. In today's world, people often see land as a resource that can be used, but in Indigenous communities, the land is seen as sacred and should be treated with respect. People who believe this view believe that all living things are connected and that it is our duty to protect and preserve the natural world. They do this to honour their ancestors and make sure that future generations will also be able to live in harmony with nature (John Edington, 2017). Long history of challenges to preserve their group identity, languages, cultures, beliefs, and rights over their territory, land, and resources define these communities. Sadly, all of which have helped to victimise them in the era of localisation are social and institutional prejudice, limited access to social services, and labour market exploitation (Subash Ranjan Nayak et al., 2020). The rapid modernization of the 21st century has drastically impacted the lives of tribal communities, bringing both obstacles and opportunities for them to adjust. As technology and globalization spread even to the most isolated regions, indigenous tribes are experiencing a decline in their traditional ways of life, which are closely tied to their culture and natural surroundings. While modernization has introduced better healthcare, education, and job prospects, it also poses a threat to their social structures, land ownership, and cultural heritage. A significant challenge is the weakening of tribal identity. As modern ideas and practices influence tribal communities, the younger generation may become more attracted to city life, which could result in the slow disappearance of their customs and languages (Justo, 2024). However, some of the tribes are unwilling to fully adopt modernization because of their collective consciousness of their group. This collective consciousness is referring to the set of shared beliefs, ideas, attitudes, and knowledge that are common to a social group or society. The collective consciousness informs our sense of belonging and identity, and our behaviours (Nicki Lisa Cole, 2019). So, it’s very clear that in the 21st century, tribal groups are isolated from society.