From Tradition to Transition: The Dynamics of Kuki Tribes Chieftainship and Land Systems in North East India

Abstract

The traditional chieftainship and land holding systems of the Kuki tribes in Northeast India serve as pillars of cultural identity and governance. Rooted in patriarchal and customary practices, these systems regulate chiefs as the owners of land, with communities living under the authority of the chief within the village. However, modern socio-economic changes, urbanization, and policy reforms have challenged their relevance and functionality. This study, titled "From Tradition to Transition: The Dynamics of Kuki Chieftainship and Land Systems", examines the interplay between traditional practices and modern governance demands. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining interviews, surveys, and case studies, this research highlights key dynamics: the tension between traditional authority and democratic governance, the erosion of land holding systems due to commercialization, and the generational shift as youth lean toward modern livelihoods. While chieftainship continues to provide cultural cohesion and dispute resolution, issues of accountability, transparency, and adaptability to democratic principles particularly regarding land right persist.