Ethnic Elite and Ethnic Politics: The Paite Experience

Thianlalmuan Ngaihte

Abstract

Consequent to the community encounters with the forces of modernization in the early part of the twentieth century, traditional political power structures and power relations within the Paite community which remained intact for centuries began to experience a gradual change. Following the advent of institutions and values of modernity, the newly emerging modern Paite elite soon consolidated their hold over the society by occupying positions of influence. Since then, the community’s interests and identity began to get articulated under the guidance and leadership of the newly emerging Paite elite. Highlighting the development of the modern Paite elite, the proposed paper aims to understand how Paite leaders or elite use organization, vernacular literature and print media to serve the interests and identity of their community. 

(Paper presented at the two days SAP National Seminar on “Social Forces and Ethnic Politics in North East India” organised by the Department of Political Science, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India, during March 10-12, 2011)