Ethnic Identity Labour and Education A Sociological Study of Tea Tribes of Assam

Abstract

India is the second largest tea producer country in the world after China. Tea industry plays a vital role in the socio-economic condition in India. About 70% worker of the tea industry are women who are the most potential labour force and are well trained from their previous generations. newlineAssam s tea industry is dependent on about two million laborer s almost all of whom are the descendants of those who were brought to Assam as slaves first by the East India Company and later by the British rulers and entrepreneurs from the 1830s through 1920s, mostly from the Santhal Parganas district of Bihar (now in Jharkhand state). The descendants of these slaves, are now newlinecalled tea tribes. The tea tribes form the backbone of the Assamese tea industry. The study is divided in to six chapter. newlineIn the first chapter of the thesis, the study discussed the background of the tea plantation and research gap, objectives and research methodology. While in the second chapter, the study discussed about the tea plantation in India and its related issues and problems which the tea workers are facing. newlineThe third chapter of the thesis discussed about the social identity issues among tea workers. In the study different kind of identity issues were observed which the migrant s tea workers were facing. Loss of Language Identity newlineTo understand the issue and problem among the tea workers. The study conducted a focus group discussion. There were 24 respondents participated and shared their experiences and problems. It was observed that most of the respondents were speaking their mother language (Bhojpuri) whichhas no identity at the new place. They faced the communication problem as they do not know the Assamese language. Most of the people also stated that they are unable to communicate with other members of the society due to difference in language. They also feel embarrassed when they interact with their community members in their own language and other people make fun of them and their language.