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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

Modes of livelihoods and experiences: the case of Liangmai youth migration to Indian cities

presenters

    Thonbamliu K

    Nationality: India

    Residence: Maharashtra

    INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BOMBAY

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

Keywords:

Experiences, Livelihoods, Liangmai, Migration and Tribal youth,

Abstract:

The paper investigates Liangmai's youth adaptation to newer modes of livelihood and experiences. Liangmai are a small tribal group inhabiting India's northeastern states of Manipur and Nagaland. Most migrating youth do not have formal education degrees—only a few have formal education but not professional courses. Only a handful of people are professionals, like medical nurses. This study focuses on youth whose highest level of education is high school. Since youth do not have proper schooling, they work in informal sectors as waiters, hairdressers, salespersons, etc. The study finds that no employment opportunities and appealing to do agriculture like ancestors and parents are underlying factors for youth migration. They go to Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and other cities through a network of friends and relatives to search for jobs. Not only job challenges but they also face racial discrimination and accommodation issues. Despite all the difficulties, such as labor exploitation and underpaid work, youth continue to move to cities for their livelihood. Academic inquiry is vital to inform the tribal youth as an economic workforce in the neoliberal Indian economy. In the research documentation on migrant workers, no attention is paid to the tribal youth of Liangmai.