They exercise influence on villagers on basis of their land, wealth or any inherited status belonging to tradition like caste leaders, landlord or priest. They are respected by the villagers due to their wealth or power to conduct social rituals or ceremonies. They help in achieving the social and religious needs of the people and upholding those values. The traditional leaders are also known by different names such as:
Caste Leaders: They are the leaders who have an influence and interest in a particular caste group and they may be belonging to that caste. They play a significant role in social and economic development of the people of their own caste and are more acceptable by members of their own caste. The influence of these leaders is not widespread, but generally restricted to a particular group of people.
Sacred Leaders: Other kind of traditional leaders are sacred leaders who participate in various religious and social ceremonies. They are associated with sacred or spiritual activities and function as priests or ojhas in the village. They are hereditary type of leaders due to birth in such a family and have a limited role in development programme due to their rigid values and specific interests.
Last modified: Wednesday, 11 January 2012, 7:59 AM
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