Ageing, Tradition, and Development: Case Studies from India's North Eastern Region (NER)

Abstract India’s North Eastern Region (NER) which lies at the periphery crossroad with South East Asia is home to hundreds of diverse ethnic and tribal groups, many coming under Sino-Tibetan and Burman linguistic groups. Communitarian values rooted in their tribal/semi-tribal heritage, family ties driven by culture of reciprocity, and elderly respect are prominent. Ageing in NER implies a unique set of complex amalgamation of geography, livelihood transition, region-specific urbanization patterns, youth unemployment, brain drain, and migration; alongside permeation of globalization, consumerism, digital communication and social media, popular culture like K-pop, etc. Our findings indicate less pronounced traces of elderly nests for the selected samples (more prominent in rural contexts) and economic motives appear to be the dominant driver behind inter-generational co-living relational shifts, although the powerful role of digital technology could be significantly accounted for. Based on three selected case studies from the Angami tribe of Nagaland; and the Meitei community, and Poumai tribe of Manipur, we could importantly infer on the unique context specific spatial nuances, occupation based priority shifts, and uneven development (rural-urban). Importantly, against the backdrop of inadequate institutional elderly care settings, the Church, tradition, and community networking continue to play significant roles.