Food, Culture And Identity Politics Of The Borok People Of Tripura

Abstract

The paper focuses on the food, culture and identity politics of the Borok people of Tripura. Food is integral to the cultural identity and social fabric of societies, and the Borok people of Tripura, an indigenous community, exemplify this connection. The cuisine of the Borok, particularly dishes like Chakhwi, Godok, and Wahan Mosodeng, etc. is not only a reflection of food habits but also a significant part of their cultural and social identity. Food, along with the process of food production, is intertwined with the Borok people's history, ecology, and customs, particularly their traditional method of shifting cultivation, huk, which shapes not only their livelihood but also their cultural expression.
Historically, the Borok people faced demographic changes after the 1949 merger of Tripura with India, which led to a region’s ethnic as a minority community. This demographic shift fueled a political awakening among the Borok, particularly in the 1960s, when they began to assert their cultural and political rights through the formation of the Tripura Upajati Yuba Samity (TUJS). The slogan “Muya Chanai… Chakhwi Chanai,” symbolized the unification of indigenous people around their food practices particularly in the struggle for autonomy, language recognition, and cultural preservation.
As a result of political efforts, Kokborok was recognized as a state language in 1979, and the formation of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in 1985 marked a significant achievement in the Borok people's quest for self-determination. The ongoing political, cultural, and social influence of food highlights the power of food practices in identity assertion and social cohesion within the Borok community of Tripura.
This paper explores the intersection of food, culture, and identity among the Borok people, examining how food practices, such as the preparation and consumption of several dishes play a vital role in the preservation of cultural identity and political mobilization. It also highlights how food, in its ritualistic, social, and political contexts, is central to understanding the Borok people's resistance and survival in the face of demographic and cultural transformations.