Ethnic Eight Society is the Northeast Society of Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi. The society brings together students from the eight Northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, along with students from Ladakh, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong.
Ethnic Eight is one of the most active, student-led societies in the college. It serves as a collective platform for students from the Northeast to celebrate and preserve their cultural identities while encouraging academic, cultural, and creative engagement. The society fosters a strong sense of belonging, promotes dialogue on issues concerning the Northeast, and creates meaningful opportunities for students to express their talents and perspectives within the wider college community.
Since its inception in 2016, Ethnic Eight has consistently organized Northeast-focused socio-cultural events and festivals. These include inaugural talks, lectures, and panel discussions featuring Northeastern scholars, artists, and intellectuals. The society also hosts cultural dance showcases and actively participates in sports and cultural competitions organized by other Northeast societies across Delhi University. Its initiatives and activities are showcased through its online presence, particularly on Instagram: @ethnic_eight.
One of the society’s flagship events is its annual fest, Octet, which brings together students from Northeastern communities across Delhi University. The fest features competitions such as folk song singing, folk dance, essay writing, and paper abstract presentations, creating a vibrant space for cultural exchange and intellectual expression.
Ethnic Eight also publishes its annual magazine, Laizom, a term signifying brotherhood and community. The magazine highlights student voices, creative work, and cultural narratives from the Northeast. The first edition was titled “Reimagining the Northeast: A Colloquy on Diversity,” and the second edition was “Roots and Routes: Navigating Identity and Belonging in Northeast India.”
The society begins each academic year by welcoming new students through freshers’ orientation and society fair participation, followed by freshers’ welcome event, lectures, discussions, and collaborative events with other societies. Ethnic Eight is also known for setting up vibrant stalls during college fests, offering Northeastern snacks, traditional food items, and regional jewellery, bringing the flavors and crafts of the region to campus life.
Ethnic Eight functions through a well-organized team structure that allows members to contribute based on their interests and strengths. The society consists of multiple teams, including the Cultural Team, Sports Team, Academic Team, Social Media Team, Laizom (Magazine) Team, Sponsorship Team, and Logistics Team. Members may choose to be part of one or more teams, depending on their interests. Each team is led by a Head and supported by Sub-Heads, ensuring smooth coordination and active participation across all society initiatives. Students from the Cultural, Academic, and Sports Teams regularly participate in competitions organized by other societies and have won numerous accolades. The Cultural and Sports Teams, in particular, are well known for bringing home trophies, cash prizes, and certificates from several inter-college competitions.
The society currently has over 240 members.
