印度犹太人的构成、特点与身份认同

The Categorization, Characteristics and Identity of Indian Jews

印度也散居着犹太人,其可被分为六支。而本文根据其相关特点又将其分为三大类,即本土化的印度犹太人、雅各的直系后裔以及欧洲与阿拉伯犹太人的后裔。目前,印度犹太人主要形成了孟买的本尼以色列人、科钦犹太人以及加尔各答的巴格达犹太人等三大社团。由于受庞杂的印度文化影响,印度犹太人也建立了种姓制度,许多方面也呈现出印度特色。尽管这一特殊性对印度犹太人的身份认同产生了重要影响,但印度犹太人并未被完全同化,仍保留了清晰的犹太身份意识,是具有印度特色的犹太人。

The Jewish community in India could be divided into six branches. They are re-categorized in this paper as three groups comprising localized Indian Jews, Jacob s lineal descendants and descendants of European and Arabic Jews. Three Jewish communities comprising the Bene Jews in Bombay, Cochin Jews and the Baghdadi Jews in Calcutta are active in India as of now. Indian Jewish community developed its own caste system in addition to a unique culture with some Indian characteristics. Due to their clear Jewish identity, Indian Jews can be identified as typical Jews with Indian characteristics.