Religious Syncretism in India's Northeast: A Case of the Heraka.

This article examines religious syncretism in Northeast India through the case of the reformed Heraka religion among the Zeme people. Originating as a resistance movement against British colonial rule, Christian proselytization, and neighboring community intrusions, Heraka reinterpreted indigenous beliefs by incorporating elements from Christianity and Hinduism, such as temple worship, pilgrimage, and hymnody, while promoting the worship of a supreme God called Tingwang. The movement was led by charismatic figures Jadonang and Gaidinliu, who introduced reforms aimed at purifying traditional practices and unifying related tribes politically and culturally. Despite its reformist intentions, Heraka's identity reflects a syncretic blend shaped by external religious influences and political alliances, particularly with Hindu organizations, positioning it within a broader context of cultural negotiation and revivalism in the region.