IndexAbstractIntroductionAcculturation among the Mising tribeWhy is cultural revivalism a necessity?ConclusionReferencesAbstractThis study explores the acculturation and cultural revivalism among the Mising tribe of Assam. The processes of migration, sociocultural mobility, and acculturative change are ubiquitous sociocultural processes that occur throughout the world. Across many disciplines of study, there has been increased attention to the concept and process of acculturation and how that process contributes to intergenerational differences within a particular community. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Because acculturation is widely applicable, the concept has been studied and applied across a variety of cultures and populations. Surprisingly not much has been studied about the Mishing community. Community acculturation has evolved in many domains at differential rates and in different ways among different populations. The study examines the acculturation process in the Mishing community of Assam and also attempts to understand the communication variables in the acculturation process. The study claims that there is almost no discussion on conservation and revitalization of the tribe's rich cultural heritage and heritage. Furthermore, the study argues that documentation is the key to preserving one's culture. While it is important to question political initiatives for cultural preservation, it is equally necessary to take appropriate measures in cultural revivalism. Introduction The processes of migration, socio-cultural mobility and acculturative changes are ubiquitous processes occurring throughout the world. Historically, the process of cultural contact, interaction and mixing between members of various cultural groups is not a new phenomenon. Socio-cultural plurality, in fact, is one of the main characteristics of many societies around the world. These interactions and mixtures between the various groups that coexist in a society give rise, over the years, to the process of acculturation, in which a person or a group belonging to a particular culture acquires or borrows certain traits from a other culture. This often causes changes in the socio-cultural structure of groups, with discernible patterns of change in customs, religious practices, eating habits, clothing patterns and modes of communication. Acculturation is “defined as the changes that occur when two cultures come into continuous direct contact” (Costigan & Korzyma, 2011; as cited in Berry, 2003). The concept of acculturation was conceived in the fields of anthropology and sociology in the early 20th century (Redfield, Linton & Herskovits, 1936) and has been used to explain the dynamics involved when people from different cultural backgrounds come into continuous contact between them. The term acculturation was initially coined by anthropologists in the late 1930s. Its definition was later refined by various bodies such as the Social Science Research Council in 1954 as well as by various other fields such as psychology.Acculturation among the Mising tribeThe Mising, belonging to the Tibeto-Burman ethnic group and formerly known as Miris, who constitute the second largest scheduled (plains) tribal group of Assam, has played a significant role in the culture and economy of the greater Assamese society in general and tribal society in particular. This colorful ethnic group living among the non-tribal Assamese people for many centuries has been able to maintain its traditional socio-cultural traits unaltereddespite the changes that have taken place in the socio-political-religious life of Assam ( Bordoloi et al, 1987). The Mising are an important ethnic group of Assam, the second largest tribe in the state after the Bodos. In the distant past they used to live in the hilly areas (Abor, Miri and Mishimi hills) between the Siang and Subansiri district of present-day Arunachal Pradesh and then gradually descended into the plains of Assam between the 13th and 14th centuries AD. It is generally assumed that the Mising of Assam bear a close resemblance, in language, customs, dress and physical condition, to the Adi or Abor tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The process of acculturation, resulting from social interrelationship and cultural mixing, has been pervasive among the people of the Mising community. The Mising have their own cultural practices and traditions. As a community they have distinct eating habits, dress patterns and socio-cultural practices. Like any other tribe, the Mising community is also based on inter-clan relationships. The Mising migrated to the Brahmaputra valley between the 13th and 14th centuries AD (Pegu, 1998). This had a huge effect on their traditional and cultural practices. The dominant culture is therefore believed to have found its way into the minority ethnic group, influencing almost every field such as social life, cultural development and religious beliefs. All these changes have had a great impact on the linguistic behavior of the community. A large number of elements probably flowed from the Assamese language to the Mising dialect, resulting in the emergence of bilingual speech among the Mising. With the signing of the Yandaboo Treaty in 1826, Assam came under the colonial rule of the British. English, considered the dominant language over all other local languages ​​of the region, became the medium of communication in the administrative set-up of the English. As a result, as scholars argue, another cross-cultural transmission took place with elements of the dominant British culture flowing into local cultures. The achievement of independence from colonial rule in 1947 brought no immediate changes in the field of linguistic practice. The integration and assimilation of the Mising have been constantly at work in the creation of the composite Assamese culture. During these long paths of subsequent evolution, the Mising community has overall undergone various changes that are reflected in their socio-cultural behavior. And in this process they tend to lose a good part of their original traits. With the easy penetration of many cultural traits of the host culture, the community has undergone changes in clothing patterns, food habits, religious beliefs and practices, as well as communication system. However, many native cultural, linguistic and religious elements are still pervasive among the community, especially in rural areas. The acculturation process sometimes has an effect on the host/dominant culture as well, with some elements of cultural traits flowing from the minority culture to the dominant one. “Bihu” is one of the important festivals celebrated by the Assamese people with religious fervor and which has its origin in the primitive fertility cult and primitive harvest festival (Barpujari, 2007). Therefore, despite massive acculturation forces, the Mising, in association with their various socio-cultural organizations, are making continuous efforts to preserve the rich cultural heritage of their community. The massive acculturation of the Mising tribe over a period of eight hundred years resulted in a change in social, linguistic and religious practices and in the process, a cultural syncretism took shape between the indigenous traits of the Mising and those of the plains of Assam.However, the group hasn't entirely shunned their original culture either. Many cultural, linguistic and religious elements still actively prevail in Mising society, particularly in rural areas. While it is important to adopt political initiatives for the preservation of culture, on the other hand it is equally necessary to examine the impact of globalization on the economic culture. Why is cultural revivalism a necessity? In today's globalized world, socio-cultural mixing and exchanges between various groups around the world have become a fairly common phenomenon. Such cross-cultural contact and association causes both psychological and cultural changes. At the cultural level, collective activities and social institutions are altered, and at the psychological level, changes in an individual's attitude and daily behavior can be identified, sometimes even leading to acculturative stress. In acculturation, the flow of cultural values ​​usually occurs from the dominant group to the minority or less dominant group. However, in some cases, the dominant culture also adopts some characteristics of the minority culture in reciprocity. During the acculturation process, individuals and groups engage in cultural contact, exchange, and mixing. These sociocultural associations may produce a potential consensus for conflict between members of the dominant/host group and members of acculturating groups or smaller dominant groups, as well as the need for negotiation that would result in adaptive implications for both groups. . Since diversity is an accepted feature of the contemporary world, it has become imperative for all people to find a positive way to welcome each other in this globalized world. The Mising community has undergone tremendous acculturation over a long period of time. The community has undergone changes in clothing patterns, food habits, religious beliefs and practices, as well as communication system. However, much of the original cultural, linguistic and religious elements are still pervasive in the community, especially in rural areas. The Mising continue their first culture and also favor contact culture, which suggests a socio-cultural-linguistic syncretism that functions as equals among community members. The founding of the "Mising Agom Kebang" (Mising Language Society) in April 1972 by the educated middle class added a new dimension. It gradually gained its own script and the language began to be taught in Mising-dominated areas at primary level. Contrary to such efforts, there was a growing trend among the Mising, particularly urban dwellers, to enroll their children in English-medium schools. This has led to speculation that this could lead to a gradual disappearance of their ethnic language. Conclusion There has been growing concern that cultural danger is increasing alarmingly among the Mising tribe. It is significant to note that despite the massive socio-cultural mixing and changing cultural preferences of the Mising, the community has not entirely shunned their traditional beliefs and practices. It is surprising how little attention is paid to the loss we might suffer due to the extinction of one's culture. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay There is almost no discussion about the rich reserves and cultural heritage and the skill with which this reserve is being depleted. It would be unrealistic to think of the existence or measure the authenticity of culture anywhere in the world. As Beyon and Dunkerly argue “no culture anywhere in the world exists in one state.