Malana Tribe of Himachal Himalaya: Identity and Problem

In the present day under rapid modernisation and globalization the folk culture of the ethnic groups of people has turned out to be the most sensitive sector which is threatened with transformation and extinction. The ethnic group of Manala Tribe, living in the high altitude area of the Malana River valley in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, has developed their social and cultural life with a remarkable sense of environmental ethics. This paper discusses the tradition of life and culture of this Manala Tribe living in this remote part of the Himachal Himalaya and their recent trend of mordanisation. With only about one thousand population, living in complete seclusion in the Himalayan terrain for generations, this tribe developed not only a unique form of social and cultural system on their own but also formed a remarkable setup of administration which can be described as the oldest possible democratic system in any part of our country. In recent years, under the impact of globalization through the interference of growing number of tourists from different parts of the country and abroad, certain changes of their outlook and transformation of lifestyle, have already begun. From anthropological view it is now apprehended that if this trend continues the unique originality and indigenous culture of this ethnic group in the Himalayan paradise will disappear within a decade.

Keywords:

Manala Tribe , Modernisation , Globalisation , socio-cultural , subsistence agriculture , advanced technology