Social Identity of Zeliangrong People of Asssam, Manipur and Nagaland

Abstract

Ethnicity and ancestry are gaining significance with groups looking for exclusive features to define linguistic-based identities. Social identity or self-concept through identification with a group also leads to division of a larger ethnic group on account of continued identification with distinct linguistic groups. Individual’s self-identification with a group is influenced by an existing group’s conception about an individual’s membership in a group. The Zeliangrong groups, in their continued process of identification with their respective linguistic groups, differentiate one’s group from the other groups leading to linguistic identities against their earlier collective ethnic identity. The article examines and expands the theory of social identity in the context of the dynamic identity discourse on Zeliangrong and its constituent groups.