Vasava Identity in Transition-Some Theoretical Issues

Some Theoretical Issues Roxanne Hakim Resettlement to the Vasavas, a community of largely subsistence farmers in Gujarat, involves a physical move from the hills to the plains which restructures the way the community views itself as well as the way it is viewed by others. Resettlement demands the restructuring of production and consumption patterns, which the 'dungri' (hill people) Vasavas view as the essence of their distinction from the 'deshis' (plains people). Thus while they do not perceive a threat to their identity, as they see it, from the adoption of deshi dress or religion, they are concerned about the restructuring of production and consumption patterns which resettlement will involve.