Published Paper Details:

The tribal communities generally have a traditional system of governance that persists to this day, albeit in various forms. The Tangkhul Naga community in Manipur boasts a rich history of traditional governance structures and economic practices that have evolved over centuries. This study explores how conventional governance systems, rooted in customary laws and community-centric leadership, intersect with the contemporary economic activities of the Tangkhul. While traditional practices such as land distribution, resource management, and dispute resolution continue to influence socio-economic behaviour, modern challenges, including urbanization, market expansion, and state policies, have reshaped these dynamics. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, oral histories, and secondary sources, this research examines how these governance structures adapt to changing economic landscapes while maintaining continuity with cultural identity. It highlights the role of village councils, clan-based decision-making, and collective labour systems in sustaining traditional livelihoods such as agriculture and handicrafts. Furthermore, the study investigates the community's integration into modern economic networks and the tensions between conventional norms and market-driven strategies. This intersectional analysis provides insights into the resilience and adaptability of the Tangkhul community and contributes to broader discourses on indigenous governance, sustainable development, and cultural preservation in the context of rapid socio-economic transformation.