Ethnic Organizations and Ritual Dynamics: Exploration of an Asian Indian Community

Abstract

This dissertation explores the ethnic identity among the Asian Indian Community in the city of Springfield, a large metropolitan area in south central United States. This research tries to understand the ritual dynamics of that group and how their ethnic identity is displayed, maintained and even celebrated through different ethnic organizations and social networks.\nFindings and Conclusions:\nThis study identifies 9 ethnic organizations in the city of Springfield and interviewed 21 respondents from 8 of those organizations. 'Rituals of Ethnic Significance', are identified to be present in these organizations viz., 'popular culture', 'religion', 'ethnic food', 'ethnic language', 'ethnic clothing', and 'ethnic sports and games' to varying degrees. There is a longing for their cultural values and traditions that is reflected in the ethnic organizations and every event they sponsor and organize. They play a unique role by building a bridge to both their native culture/traditions as well as with the local community.