Question: Who coined the concepts of little tradition and great tradition for the socio-cultural analysis of the peasant society?
- Mckim Marriott
- M.N. Srinivas
- Robert Redfield
- Milton Singer
Answer: (3)The correct answer to the MA CUET exam question is (c) Robert Redfield. Robert Redfield, an American anthropologist, introduced the concepts of “little tradition” and “great tradition” as part of his socio-cultural analysis of peasant societies. The distinction between these two traditions emerged from Redfield’s studies in Mexican communities, and the concepts were later elaborated upon by scholars like Milton Singer and Mckim Marriott, particularly in the context of Indian villages. Robert Redfield’s seminal work, conducted in the mid-20th century, focused on the social and cultural dynamics of rural communities. His studies were instrumental in developing the theoretical framework that later scholars applied to understand the complexities of traditional societies, particularly in the context of India.
Redfield introduced the concept of “little tradition” to describe the local, community-specific practices, beliefs, and customs within smaller, self-sufficient, and relatively isolated villages. Little traditions, in Redfield’s framework, are the indigenous cultural expressions and social practices that define the daily life of a particular community. These traditions often have a deep historical and cultural resonance within the local context.
In contrast, Redfield conceptualized the “great tradition” as a more overarching, cosmopolitan set of cultural elements that transcends local boundaries. The great tradition is often associated with broader cultural influences, typically emanating from urban centers, religious institutions, or other centralizing forces. It represents a more universal and standardized set of beliefs, practices, and values that extend beyond the confines of a specific village or community. While Redfield introduced these concepts in the context of Mexican communities, scholars like Milton Singer and Mckim Marriott further developed and applied the framework to the study of Indian villages. Their intensive studies in India contributed to the refinement and expansion of Redfield’s original model.
Milton Singer, an American anthropologist, conducted extensive fieldwork in Indian villages and contributed significantly to the understanding of little and great traditions in the South Asian context. Singer’s work focused on the intricate interplay between local, community-specific practices (little traditions) and broader, cosmopolitan influences (great traditions). Singer emphasized the dynamic nature of these traditions and how they intersect and sometimes conflict in the daily lives of individuals in traditional societies. He explored how individuals negotiate their identities and allegiances within the context of both little and great traditions, acknowledging the complex processes of cultural adaptation and change.
Mckim Marriott, another influential anthropologist, also conducted extensive research in Indian villages and built upon Redfield’s concepts. Marriott’s work delved into the intricate relationships between ritual practices, social structures, and cultural identities in the Indian context. Marriott, like Singer, highlighted the dynamic and adaptive nature of little and great traditions. He emphasized that these traditions are not static entities but are subject to ongoing negotiation and reinterpretation within the changing socio-cultural landscape. Marriott’s contributions enriched the understanding of how individuals and communities navigate the complexities of tradition in the face of external influences and internal transformations.
Yogendra Singh, a prominent Indian sociologist, provided commentary on the construction of little and great traditions in Indian villages by Singer and Marriott. Singh highlighted the significance of their work in elucidating the dual forces shaping traditional societies—endogenous, community-specific practices and exogenous, cosmopolitan influences. Singh’s commentary acknowledged the role of anthropologists like Singer and Marriott in refining Redfield’s original concepts to better capture the complexities of Indian villages. The nuanced understanding of little and great traditions provided by these scholars contributed to a more comprehensive analysis of the socio-cultural dynamics within traditional societies. In summary, the concepts of little tradition and great tradition originated with Robert Redfield, who applied them to the study of Mexican communities. Subsequently, scholars like Milton Singer and Mckim Marriott expanded and refined these concepts in the context of Indian villages. Their work highlighted the dynamic and adaptive nature of traditions, emphasizing the ongoing negotiation between local, community-specific practices and broader, cosmopolitan influences. The study of little and great traditions remains crucial for understanding the intricate socio-cultural dynamics within traditional societies and the ways in which individuals navigate tradition in the face of change. |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
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