DISSAPEARNCE OF PRIMORDIAL COMMUNITIES: AN ANALYSIS

DISSAPEARNCE OF PRIMORDIAL COMMUNITIES: AN ANALYSIS

We can define community as a group of people who follow same culture, norms, values and even status within the society. Further this group of people work together and also organise their social life within a particular territory and share same sense of belonging across time and space. The word community has been derived from two latin words that are, ‘com’ meaning ‘together’ and ‘munis’ meaning to ‘serve’. Thus, we can say that a community means to serve together. Kingsley Davis has defined community is the smallest territorial group that can embrace all aspects of social life. 

Primordialism in the context of ethnic conflict centres on the idea that such conflicts primarily stem from deep-seated differences in ethnic identities. These identities are assigned at birth and inherited through generations, remaining relatively fixed over time. Under this perspective, ethnic disparities are ancient, profound, and seemingly irreconcilable, often rooted in historical grievances and a mutual fear of dominance. Inter-ethnic animosity is fuelled by an emphasis on these identity differences. However, it's worth noting that not all regions affected by ethnic conflicts adhere strictly to primordialism. In some places, like Cameroon and Botswana in sub-Saharan Africa, there are instances of relatively harmonious inter-ethnic relations. Primordialism posits that an individual's national identity is rigid and enduring, resistant to change throughout their lifetime. This identity is considered a fundamental aspect of human categorization, intimately tied to one's ancestral origins from birth. 

Several ancient civilizations, including the Indus (Harappan), Maya, and Mississippians, faced significant declines, and historians and archaeologists have proposed various theories to explain these declines. The Indus civilization, which spanned parts of India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, boasted a population of around 5 million people. The decline of this civilization is believed to have been influenced by factors such as warfare, climate change leading to famine and drought, among others.The Maya civilization, situated across the Yucatán peninsula in present-day Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, demonstrated advanced engineering and mathematical skills. However, it declined around 900 CE, possibly due to a combination of factors, including wars, climate change, and resulting famine and drought. The Mississippians, who inhabited the American Southeast and midcontinent, established the largest city of Cahokia with an estimated population of 40,000, along with smaller villages and towns. The reasons for their decline remain uncertain, but experts have proposed theories involving famine, environmental degradation, and diseases linked to poor sanitation. these ancient civilizations faced declines attributed to various factors, including warfare, climate change, famine, and environmental degradation, leaving historians with ongoing questions about the precise causes of their gradual demise.

Although there are various scholars who believe that the primordiality approach is a very simplistic approach to explain any kind of ethnic conflicts and thus this approach should be disregarded. This is because they believe that this particular theory fails to explain the variations in the levels of conflicts between any two ethnic groups. For example, this theory does not necessarily explain why there were no conflicts between two particular community such as the French and the English and further it also doesn’t explain why they became allies after fighting with one another for centuries. 

In conclusion, the disappearance of primordial communities is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is reshaping the social, cultural, and environmental landscapes across the globe. This analysis has shed light on several key findings and insights: the disappearance of primordial communities is not merely an academic concern; it is a pressing global issue with far-reaching implications for culture, identity, and social well-being. As we move forward, it is imperative that we approach these challenges with sensitivity, empathy, and a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that no community is left behind in the ever-evolving tapestry of our interconnected world.

**Author-Ria Ukey, a student at Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur.