Course Code: BTT14

Tribal Theology

BD IV, Semester I, 2 Credit Hours, College Paper

Course Objectives

1. This course is designed to help students reflect theologically on the tribal experiences of the struggle for their emancipation.
2. This course attempts to rediscover the liberation motifs of the traditional tribal values for the interpretation as well as an expression of Christian faith in the tribal context.
3. To reflect theologically on the tribal problems and their struggle for their emancipation.
4. To help the students to understand the Tribal struggles in India for survival, and self-determination, and to engage with the emerging theological constructions from their life experiences.
5. To enable the students to engage with the unique theological methods and sources of Tribal theology, and to critically evaluate the prevailing dominant theological methods and sources.

Note

Students are expected to choose any one of the courses listed in TC 209.

Pedagogical Methods

1. The course will follow lecture/seminar method. Field trips, special lectures by tribal leaders/scholars/theologians, audio/video presentations, etc. can also be used.

Course Requirements

• Final Examination 60%
• Internal Evaluation 40%

Course Outline

1. Unit 1: Introduction
   1. Definition of key terms: Tribal, Indigenous, Tribal Theology, Contextual Theology.
   2. Tribal Situation in India with Special Reference to North-East India: AFSP Act 1958, Forest Act 2006, Provision of Panchayati Raj Extension to Scheduled Area Act 1996, Right To Education 2009.
   3. The Theological Vision and Task in the Context of Tribal People.
   4. Interaction of Christianity and Tribal Culture.
   5. Theological Heritage – Missionary Theologies.
2. Unit 2: Tribal Theology and Its Methodology
   1. Necessity, Norms, and Interconnectedness of Contextual Theologies.
   2. Sources for Tribal Theology.
   3. Tribal Hermeneutics.
   4. Tribal Theology Methodology.
3. Unit 3: Tribal Epistemology
   1. Consciousness of Tribal Identity.
   2. Developing Tribal Worldview.
4. Unit 4: Tribal Concept of God
   1. God, Human and World Relationship.
   2. Christology: Search for Tribal Christology.
   3. Pneumatology.
5. Unit 5: Tribal Theological Reflections
   1. Tribal Ecclesiology.
   2. Salvation of the Whole Creation.
   3. Tribal Eschatology.
   4. Tribal Ethics: Tlawngaihna (Mizo), Sobaliba (Naga), Khankho (Kuki), etc.
   5. Commonalities of Contextual Theologies.

Bibliography

Basic Books

• Fuchs, S. Towards Indian Theology of Liberation. Bangalore: HA, 1986.
• Keitzar, Renthy. In Search of a Relevant Gospel Message. Guwahati: CLC, 1995.
• Lalpekhlua, L.H. Contextual Christology: A Tribal Perspective. Delhi: ISPCK, 2007.
• Lasetso, Razouselie and Yangkahao Vashum, eds. Tribal Christian Theology: Methods and Sources for Constructing a Relevant Theology for the Indigenous People of North East India. Tribal Study Series, No. 15. Jorhat: ETC Program Coordination, 2007.
• Longchar, A.Wati. An Emerging Asian Theology: Tribal Theology: Issue, Method and Perspective. Tribal Study Series no. 8. Jorhat: Tribal Study Centre, 2000.
• Shimray, S. ed. Tribal Theology: A Reader. Jorhat: Tribal Study Centre, 2003.
• Thanzuava, K. A Theology of Community: Tribal Theology in the Making. Aizawl: Mizo Theological Conference, 1997.

General Books

• • Alem, O. Tsungremology: A Naga Christian Theology. Mokokchung: CTC, 1994.
  • Bevans, Stephen. Models of Contextual Theology. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1985.
  • Baroi, Rosy. “A Theological Understanding of the ‘Ownership of Land’ in the Naga-Tribal Context: A Feminist Critique.” In Doing Indigenous Theology in Asia: Towards New Frontiers, edited by Hrangthan Chhungi, M.M. Ekka & Wati Longchar, 152-170. (Kolkata: NCCI/GTS/SCEPTRE, 2012).
  • Baroi, Rosy. “The Land and the Tribal Identity: A Naga Womanist Quest for Identity.” Master’s Journal of Theology 3, no. 2 & 4, no. 1 (December 2013 & June 2014): 82-100.
  • Chube, S. Hill Politics in North East India. New Delhi: Orient Longman Ltd. 1973.
  • Chhungi, Hrangthan, ed. Theologizing Tribal Heritage: A Critical Re-look. Delhi: CWM/ISET/ECC/PCI, 2008.
  • Costa, Ruy O. One Faith Many Cultures: Inculturation, Indigenization and Contextualization. 1988.
  • Dena, Lal. Christian Mission and Colonialism. Shillong: Vendram Institute, 1988.
  • Dube, S.M. ed. North East India: A Sociological Study. Delhi: Vikas Publishing Co. 1978.
  • Dube, S.M. ed. Tribal Heritage of India Vol. 1, 2, 3. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing Co. 1983.
  • Durkheim, Emile. The Elementary Form of Religious Life. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1912.
  • Downs, F.S. History of Christianity in India, Vol. V Part 5: North East India in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century. Bangalore: CHAI, 1992.
  • Downs, F.S. “Christianity and Cultural Change in NEI” in Christian Faith and Multiform Culture in India. Edited by Somen Das, Bangalore: UTC, 1987.
  • Downs, F.S. “The Christian Role in Tribal Solidarity Movements in NEI” in Bangalore Theological Forum, Vol. XX, 1983.
  • Downs, F.S. “Identity: The Integrative Principle” in Asia Journal of Theology 6, 1980.
  • Das, S.T. Tribal Life of North East India. New Delhi: Gian Publishing House, 1986.
  • Ghurey, G.S. The Scheduled Tribes. Bombay: Popular Prakashan, 1959.
  • Gine, Pratap Chandra. “Theological education in the twenty-first century: Current trends and their relevance for northeast India” (Jointly written with O.L. Snaitang, K. Thanzauva, and L.E. Davis), Journal of Tribal Studies, 3(1), 1999, 22-46.
  • Gine, Pratap Chandra. “Doing Tribal Theology in North East Asia: A Retrospect and Prospect,” The Journal of Theologies and Cultures in Asia, Vol. 1, February 2002, 17-32.
  • Gine, Pratap Chandra. “Tribalism: A New Form of Religious Fundamentalism – A Challenge for Doing Theology in Asia,” The Journal of Theologies and Cultures in Asia, No. 4, 2005, 91-112.
  • Gine, Pratap Chandra. “Tribalism is a marked Fanaticism: A Khasi Perspective,” in JRTS Foundation Day Souvenir, 2003.
  • Virnaga, C.L. The Life and Witness of the Churches in Mizoram. Serkawrn: BCM, 1981.
  • Hrafts, Charles H. Christian in Culture: A Study in Dynamics of Biblical Theologizing in Cross. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1979.
  • Hnuni, R.L. Vision for Women in India: Perspectives from the Bible, Church and Society. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, 2009; Reprint: Lakshi Publishers, 2014.
  • Humtsoe, Eyingbeni. “Community of Togetherness: Perspective in Doing Tribal Women Theology,” in Shimreingam Shimray, ed. Tribal Theology: A Reader. Tribal Study Series no. 12. Jorhat: 2003, 166-183.
  • Humtsoe-Nienu, Eyingbeni. God of the Tribes: Christian Perspective on the Naga Ancestral Idea of the Supreme Being. Mokokchung, NL: Clark Theological College, 2014.
  • Imchen, Narola, ed. Women’s Issues in the 21st Century. Jorhat: Barkataki Press, 2001.
  • Jamir, Nungshitula. Naga Images of Human Being: A Source for Contemporary Theological Anthropology. Jorhat: Barkataki Press, 2001.
  • Keitzar, Renthy, ed. Good News for North East India. Guwahati: CLC, 1995.
  • Lalnghakthaami. Understanding Jesus: Indigenous Women’s Perspective. Delhi: ISPCK, 2014.
  • Lasetso, Razouselie, ed. Garnering Tribal Resources for Doing Tribal Christian Theology. Tribal Study Series, No. 16. Jorhat: ETC Programme Coordination, 2008.
  • Lasetso, Razouselie, ed. Health and Life – Theological Reflection on HIV & AIDS. Jorhat: ETC Program Coordination Committee, 2007.
  • Longkumer, Limatula, ed. No More Sorrows in the Garden of Justice: Tribal Women Doing Theology. Women Study Series, no. 4. Jorhat: Women Study Department, 2007.
  • Longkumer, Limatula & Talijungla Longkumer, eds. Side by Side: Naga Women Doing Theology in Search of Justice and Partnership. N.d.: CCA-EGY & NWTF, 2004.
  • Longchar, A.Wati. The Traditional Tribal Worldview and Modernity. Jorhat: ETC, 1995.
  • Longchar, A.Wati, ed. No More Guns: People’s Struggle for Justice: Focus on North East India. Tribal Study Series no. 7. Jorhat: Tribal Study Centre, ETC, 2006.
  • Longchar, Wati & Yangkahao Vashum, eds. Tribal Worldview and Ecology. Tribal Study Series no. 2. Jorhat: Tribal Study Centre, 2008.
  • Longchar, Wati & Larry E. Davis, eds. Doing Theology with Tribal Resources: Context and Perspective. Tribal Study Series no. 3. Jorhat: Tribal Study Centre, 1999.
  • Mahanti, Need. Tribal Issues: A Non-Conventional Approach. New Delhi: Inter-Indian Publications, 1994.
  • Moanungsang, and Samuel Longkumer. A Reader in Primal Religious Traditions and Their Select Movements in India. ESPACE: Kolkata, 2012. pp.v+330.
  • Muttumana, M. Christian In Assam and Inter Faith Dialogue: A Study on the Modern Religious Movements in NEI. 1984.
  • Murry, Ezamo. Tribal Spirituality Reconsidered. Delhi: ISPCK, 1995.
  • Niebuhr, H.R. Christ and Culture. New York: Harper & Row, 1951.
  • Praveen PS, Perumalla. “Land Struggles and the Indian National Movement: Adivasi and Dalit Experiences,” in Eapen, Viji Varghese and P. Mohan Larbeer (ed) Kairos-Palestine: An Indian Reflection (Bangalore: BTESSC, 2012), pp. 120-131.
  • Praveen PS, Perumalla. “The Million March 2011 and The Telangana Movement” in Rajkumar, Vincent (ed) Theologizing in India Today: Interpreting the Signs of Time (Bangalore: CISRS, 2012), pp. 30-38.
  • Phillip, P.P. The Growth of Baptist Church in Nagaland. Guwahati: CLC, 1972.
  • Ralte, Lalrinawmi. “Tribal Women Doing Theology” in In God’s Image, Vol. 19.4.
  • Roy, B.K. Burman. Tribes in Perspectives (Encyclopaedia on ST/SC and Disadvantaged People). New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 1994.
  • Saraswati, B. Tribal Thought and Culture. New Delhi: Concept Publishing House, 1991.
  • Sahay, K.N. Christianity and Cultural Change in India. 1986.
  • Sarigma, N.B. A History of American Baptist Mission in North East India. 1993.
  • Snaitang, O.B. Christianity and Social Change in North East India. 1993.
  • Shimray, S. Theology of Human Rights: A Critique on Politics. Jorhat: Phungyo Baptist Church, 2002.
  • Shimray, S. Introducing Theological Ethics – Concepts and Issues. Jorhat: Phungyo Baptist Church, 2011.
  • Shimray, S. “Towards A New Paradigm of Human Rights in the Context of North East India,” in Asia Journal of Theology (Vol. 27 Number 1, April 2013): 70-96.
  • Shimray, S. “Emerging Ecclesia: Social View” in Ecumenism in Dalit Today—A Search For A Relevant Ecclesiology and Churches And Theological Education in India edited by James Massey and jointly published by BTESS & SATHRI, Bangalore, 2008.
  • Shimray, S. “Relationship Between Theology and Social Analysis: A Methodological Implication for Doing Tribal Theology” in Journal of Tribal Studies Vol. XV, No. 1, January-June 2010.
  • Shimray, Shimreingam and Limatula Longkumer, eds. Tribal Theology On the Move. Tribal Study Series no. 14. Jorhat: Tribal/Women Study Centres, 2006.
  • Thanzauva, K., ed. Towards Tribal Theology: Mizo Perspective. Aizawl: MTC, 1989.

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