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Description:
The article discusses Langtang Tibetans and their use of Hindu norms as political language in order to provide a critical perspective on Sanskritization theory. The article begins with a discussion of how certain Hindu norms, which have been sanctioned by Nepal's national political system, have affected the relationship between tribal peoples and the Nepali government. The second section describes the basic features of Langtang Tibetan society and ethnic identity. The third section focuses on the relationship between the Langtang Tibetan community and the Nepali state. The fourth section discuses the precise ways in which Langtang Tibetans use Hindu norms as a political resource in their interactions with Nepali government officials and examines the implications of this for theories of Sanskritization in Nepal. The two main purposes of the article are to show the ways in which members of the Langtang Tibetan community use Hindu norms as a political language to protect their interests in specific contexts of interaction with Hindu caste Nepalis and to demonstrate that the political use of Hindu norms is not a sign that Langtang Tibetans are becoming Sanskritized. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2007-02-12)
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