IDENTITY

 

IDENTITY

 

§      Identity is a social construct.

§      It refers to how the individual is perceived and labeled by the self and society.

§      Determinant factors of an individual’s position and identity in the societal world

            BEHAVIOUR

            PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTE

            MEMBERSHIP

            SOCIAL ROLES

§      It is the public face of the person in the world

§      Identity is the basis of human relationship in society

§      Identity is:       Constructed

                                    Relational

                                    Performed

 

Components of identity          :           Age

                                                            Gender

                                                            Language

                                                            Profession etc

CONSTRUCTED

Identity is constructed. For example a house can be built of wood, concrete and infact what defines a house can differ greatly between societies

Component of fixing identity :

Tribesman (Forest dwelling) House composed of a bark roof and reeds

City people (Urban dwellers) House made up of brick, cement, iron rod etc

The component which determine identity are often determine culturally

The constructive element might be extremely important in one society may have little or no relevance in another culture –Example : The snowshoes helps in surviving for arctic people in winter but useless for people in London

RELATIONAL

Relational nature of identity means it can be created either as towards or away from something as inclusive/exclusive

Individual can define their identity as positive identifying with a trait for example I am a Hindu or in negative I am not a Muslim.

 

PERFORMANCE

To perform means display through actions. If one has a particular religious identity by performing certain religious ceremonies, visiting shrines, reading certain kind of texts: one would reinforce his/her identity

Identity is important on personal, social and political levels.

MARTIAL ARTS AS PATHS TO IDENTITY

Martial arts has long been a way for males in a culture to affirm their identity and cultivate a healthy body

KALARIPPAYATTU- an indigenous martial art practiced in Kerala. It is unique expression of Keralite history and Malyali identity. This art form promotes an identity for the participants through physical exercise and discipline.

TRIBAL IDENTITY THROUGH MUSIC

·         The Kota tribe from southern part speak Dravidian language, practice their own religion.

·         They used to play special event music for the neighboring villages in exchange for food and money.

·         Kotas are poor but a few have a small measure of economic success.

·         For their continued unity as a people they sing at funeral and religious ceremonies.

·         Their goal is to maintain tribal identity and unity.

·         Their identity as a community bound together with the performance of their music and they consciously strive to keep their tradition and life ways alive.

RELIGIOUS RITUALS AND PUJA DRUMMING IN A TRIBAL SETTING

The Jaunsaries live in Hanol – a remote village in Himalayas.

They perform daily puja ceremonies that are central to the social and spiritual life of the community.

Ritual drumming is an integral part of the ceremony

During the ceremony the Bajgis – Hereditary musicians

                                                            Perform a series of Talas

                                                            Bring the spirit of deity into oracle known as Bakis/Malis

Since they (Jaunsaries) are from lower strata they are excluded spatially.

Both Bajgis and Brahmins negotiate their identity through their interactions

Bajgis              :           by drumming

Brahmins         :           by priestly duties

·         Each group maintains its identity through their caste, their strata and their role assigned by the society. Role inside temple, role outside temple

·         Identity is vital to all segments of populations

·         Cultural strategies to maintain it or change it found everywhere

·         Earlier human identify with their community not with individual.

·         Identity with strong personal image is a modern trait to some extent.

·         Cultural (trait): Strategies to maintain identity includes dress, language, clothing, naming and group exercise.

·         Identity has been defined in many ways in many different cultures

·         Identity is socially constructed and that people have multiple identities  

 

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