Nationalism in the Vernacular: State, Tribes, and the Politics of Peace in Northeast India by Roluahpuia (published by Cambridge University Press) in 2023, offers a significant contribution to studies on nationalism, particularly within the context of Northeast India. The book’s examination of the vernacularization of nationalism and the influence of oral culture on nationalist politics presents a new angle on identity formation and political mobilization. By highlighting the experiences and perspectives of the Mizo people, this work challenges traditional narratives that often prioritize elite viewpoints and official discourses.

This book excels in its detailed exploration of how the Mizo National Front utilized oral traditions—such as songs and folklore—and printed materials to express and promote nationalist ideologies. This approach provides fresh insights into Mizo identity and their pursuit for autonomy within nationalism. This nuanced analysis sheds light on the multifaceted nature of nationalist movements, revealing diverse channels through which political visions are formed and spread.

The book can be described as a multidimensional scholarly work that incorporates elements of ethnographic research, historical analysis, and theoretical engagement. It offers a comprehensive exploration of the vernacularization of nationalism in the Mizo context by integrating diverse methodologies such as ethnographic methods, in-depth interviews with community members and former MNF rebels, and examination of oral narratives and lived experiences along historical analysis, archival research, and theoretical frameworks. The author underscores the crucial role of vernacularization in enabling Mizos to articulate nationalist ideas in their language, resisting imposed Indian state ideologies, and shaping their unique terms of nationalism.

The book discusses the relationship between spoken language and Mizo nationalism, emphasizing the role of regular individuals in shaping it. It explores the development of a vernacular language to convey nationalistic ideas and how oral traditions persisted despite efforts by the Indian state to counteract the nationalist movement with a counter-insurgency strategy involving force and repression. There was a notable shift towards political awareness and expression of desires among Mizos, rooted deeply within traditional oral practices, stressing both elite and commoner roles in expressing themselves politically. Organized political activities led by the Mizo Union had long-term impacts on Mizo society & politics, leading to the displacement of old sources ​of authority along with the establishment conducive for mass participation. Orality played a significant role through songs in shaping ​how Mizo ​​politics operates is another key point​ highlighting the spread of ideas.

The framing of the national question in India is an issue of inclusion rather than just integration, emphasizing the need for marginalized communities to be identified as equal members. The author stresses the importance of acknowledging marginalized communities’ claims to autonomy rights to resources. This is of particular salience for those belonging to tribal groups in the northeastern region. These claims are crucial for preserving cultural identity and protecting their distinct ways of life.

The book discusses the challenges faced by Mizos in embracing their dual identity as both Mizos and Indians within India’s diverse nation-state framework. It also emphasizes the need to reevaluate traditional notions of nationhood that lead to exclusionary practices, highlighting the political development and rise of consciousness among the Mizos from 1946-1951. “Hla“(songs) were being used by organizations like the Mizo Union and the United Mizo Freedom Organization to advocate for autonomy and challenge traditional power structures. Additionally, it explores the broad-based support for MU across Manipur and Tripura, where there was a strong anti-chieftainship movement along with demands for territorial integration of Mizo-inhabited areas. The transition from “Lushei” to “Mizo” represents a significant shift in identity and nomenclature among the Mizo people. The MU’s efforts led to the adoption and acceptance of “Mizo” as an identity, marking a departure from the previous term “Lushei.”

The Mizo National Front has played a significant role in shaping Mizo nationalism and promoting a distinct Mizo identity. The author explores the factors that led to the emergence of the MNF, including the 1959 famine in the Mizo Hills which caused widespread frustration with the Assam government. The MNF garnered support from the Mizo community by utilizing local language idioms and customs to further its nationalist goals. It emphasizes how “hnam hla” or national songs were instrumental in promoting the message of MNF and uniting Mizos under a shared identity. The analysis also touches on “rambuai hla” or songs depicting hardships, reflecting on challenges faced by Mizos during their involvement with the MNF movement.

The book examines the reliance on force, heightened surveillance, and military strategies in counter-insurgency operations, demonstrating the region’s significance as a “testing ground for counter-insurgency”. The violence extended beyond direct physical actions to include acts aimed at degrading and dehumanizing individuals, with far-reaching effects on the local population. Additionally, the author examines the practice of “village groupings” in counter-insurgency efforts and its significant impact on displacement and disempowerment of the Mizo people, resulting in what Agamben refers to as “bare life”.

The author examines the governance of Mizoram in terms of maintaining order and promoting peace. The politics of order focused on quelling the Mizo insurgency and reestablishing stability in the area under the Indian administration. Conversely, the politics of peace centred on dialogues and negotiations between both parties, culminating in the 1986 signing of the Mizo Peace Accord to address underlying causes of conflict and establish lasting tranquillity. Additionally, it delves into Brigadier Thenphunga Sailo’s emergence as a notable political figure, as well as the ascendance of the People’s Conference, including their rift with Laldenga, president of Mizo National Front.

The book primarily relies on sociological and anthropological perspectives to explore nationalism and identity politics, emphasizing the significance of vernacular and oral culture. The author incorporates various theoretical frameworks, including Benedict Anderson’s concept of imagined communities, Eric Hobsbawm’s idea of invented traditions, and Partha Chatterjee’s insights on subaltern politics. While not explicitly adopting a post-structuralist lens, the book addresses key themes related to this theoretical framework, such as the influence of power and discourse in shaping identity and the importance of deconstructing dominant nationalist narratives.

The book also considers the wider significance of the research for comprehending nationalism and identity politics in different global regions. It highlights the importance of going beyond narratives centred on states when analyzing nationalism and acknowledges the variety and complexities of nationalist movements and identities.

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Niharika Saikia is a doctoral research scholar at the Department of Women’s Studies, St. Mira’s College for Girls, Savitribai Phule Pune University.