Showing papers in "Man in India in 1996"

Traditional knowledge and threat of its extinction in Chhakinal watershed in north-western Himalaya

Abstract: Social and cultural diversity coupled with the environmental complexity have developed magnitude of techniques and technologies regarding management of different sub-systems and have evolved different sets of approaches for natural resource-use. Indigenous peoples have the power to make decisions concerning the sustainable use and management of natural resources ; this is governed by village committee/institutions. Such institutions could be strengthen providing adequate training and technical assistance to adapt their more traditional land-use systems to modern economic conditions. A meaningful development could be achieved only when culture and indigenous knowledge equalized with the ecological and economic developmental packages. Labour intensive techniques employed within the framework of modern appropriate technology can improve agricultural production in the area, high yields can be maintained and labour efficiency maximized. Finally, appropriate training in all cash fetching and market demanding articles/items could improve economic pool of the marginal peoples of the watershed.

Polyandry in a Central Himalayan community : An eco-cultural analysis

Abstract: Polyandry as a social institution has often been connoted as a cultural oddity or an ethnographic fossil in the evolution of family. In part, this view has resulted from a fragmented or isolated analytical frame work. This article, in contrast, takes a more holistic point of view to express the institution in its ecological, economic and cultural perspectives through a study of the Jaunsaries, a Central Himalayan community of India. The Jaunsaries have undergone a number of classification and development changes. At present, the Jaunsaries are a scheduled tribe, and have been so since the Jaunsari-Bawar area was declared scheduled tribe area in 1967. This article begins with the analysis of the socio-economic situation of the Jaunsaries and identifies the role and influence of polyandry in their social development and economic sustainability.

Socio-economic and demographic profile of a Kandh village of Eastern Ghats, Orissa

Abstract: Demographic study reflects the variegated facets of human life situation. In understanding the nature and extent of development programme in relation to a particular community its population growth through time must be analysed following the categorical principles of the science of population. The present paper shows the diversifed nature of population which has been found out through the study of the Kandhs in Tamana village in Orissa. The study pin-points the complex socio-economic levels, migration, fertility, mortality rates of the people in question. The data have been analysed statistically to find out the causes and types of various health hazards and related problems.

Untouchability in rural Punjab : An analysis

Abstract: This study pledges to focus the extent and existing position regarding practice of untouchability in rural Punjab which is one of the most prosperous states of India and influenced by the Sikh religion which denounces any type of discrimination based on caste and creed. The response of 500 respondents (250 S.Cs and 250 non-S.Cs) to various queries leads to the conclusions that scheduled castes people still live on separate places in the villages, and living separately by scheduled castes and non-scheduled castes was found accepted. On the basis of empirical data various observations and subsequent analysis have been made on the behaviour-patterns of the different categories of people over the question of untouchability. As a complex pattern of belief system untouchability has been evaluated here in the perspective of the changing situation of the country and people.

Plight of the tribal workers of Rourkela Steel Plant of Orissa

Abstract: The paper aims at looking into the effect on tribal life caused by the installation of Rourkela Steel Plant, in Orissa, which was resulted in the displacement of 32 tribal villages. In consequence of heavy protest against their displacement the concerned authorities accepted the full responsibilities of rehabilitation of the affected-villagers. Three rehabilitation colonies were started and some facilities wereprovided to the tribals to compensate their loss. The displaced tribals were given the assurance for employment in the project concerned. But through a series of events it was seen that the condition of the tribal workers started deterioration leading to family disorganisation. With the help of various empirical data attempts have been made here to analyse the specific patterns and perspectives of the tribal workers in the background of the large scale industrialization at Rourkela.

The influence of traditional occupation on breast-feeding pattern

Abstract: L'A. analyse les liens entre l'amenorrhee post-partum et l'allaitement aupres de femmes de divers sous-groupes des communautes endogames Yadava et Kamma dans les regions de Krishna et Guntur de l'Andhra Pradesh (Inde). Il classifie ces deux communautes en sous-groupes selon leurs activites economiques : agriculture, agropastoralisme, partage entre ces deux activites, et commerce. Les resultats quantitatifs sont presentes sous forme de tableaux.

Some demographic traits among the Dalu of west Garo Hills, Meghalaya

Abstract: Les Dalu de l'Ouest des collines Garo (province Meghalaya) en Inde du Nord restent meconnus des anthropologues. Selon les directives de l'Organisation Mondiale de la Sante, l'A. a mene une etude demographique aupres de cette population d'agriculturs de langue Bengali et de culture Hindou. L'enquete a ete menee aupres de trois populations villageoises ; le profil demographique d'ensemble est presente sous forme de tableaux.

Fertility in Hill Korwas -- a primitive tribe of Madhya Pradesh.

Abstract: This study examines fertility behavior among 604 eligible couples in Hill Korwa tribes in Madhya Pradesh state India. Low fertility patterns are compared to those of neighboring Gonds and nontribals from rural Jabalpur. The Hill Korwa are a subtribe of the Korwa who remained in the hills and dense forests. Over 60% live in three tehsils of Surguja district including Ambikapur tehsil where the study was conducted. Data were obtained in March 1991. Eligible couples were those where both partners live together and the noncontracepting wife is under age 50 and nonmenopausal. Only 3% were literate. Female marriage age was about 15 years. The median age was 23.8 years. 92% lived below the poverty line. The average number of children ever born (CEB) per couple was 1.9 compared to 2.5 for the Gond and 2.9 for nontribal couples. The CEB in a reproductive lifetime was 2.9 compared to 5.3 for Gond women and 5.9 for nontribal women. Fecundity among Hill Korwa women was 66% lower at younger ages (16-17 years and 17-18 years) and the differences increased with an increase in age at marriage. Hill Korwas had a low female age at marriage low literacy low percentages engaged in agriculture and higher percentages living above the poverty line.

The functioning and eco-cultural significance of marriage types among the Jaunsaries in Central Himalaya

Abstract: Marriage, as a social institution, particularly among traditional communities is something more than just a regulated sex relation. It is a marker of sustainability in the form of a catalyst that help in evolving family types that are eco-cultural adaptations to communities' ecological and cultural needs. The sustainability characteristics of marriage are clearly reflected among the Jaunsaries, a scheduled tribe inhabiting in the Jaunsari-Bawar region of district Dehradun in the Central Himalaya. A unique people, once mostly adhering to polyandry, the Jaunsaries have undergone remarkable changes in their marriage pattern. Polyandry is fast disappearing, while at present, monogamy dominates. This article is an attempt in understanding the functioning, from eco-cultural perspectives, of marriage types those are disappearing and also presently prevalent among the Jaunsaries through a study carried out in a village inhabited by them.

Agricultural modernization in rural Orissa : Prosperity and destitution

Abstract: The paper examines the impact of modemization patterns in the agrarian economy of the rural setting. In course of presenting his observations in relation to the various technological and allied developmental activities in a particular village of Orissa the author has pin-pointed how mechanization in agricultural activities bring prosperity to the region so far as the nature of land and the life of the people are concerned. But at the same time there are contrary effect. The small and poor peasants have failed to cope with the new development-the new situation has become incompatible to them due to certain obvious reasons. The rich and progressive people are availing themselves of the better opportunities and they are drawing conspicuous benefit whereas the poor peasants have been facing economic insecurity which is on the increase with the march of time.

An appraisal of the rehabilitation of bonded labour in the Jaunsar-Bawar area of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract: The aim of the abolition of bonded labour was to provide the ex-bonded labour with an occupation that would make them economically independent of the high caste land owners and thereby less susceptible to economic exploitation by them. The identification and rehabilitation of bonded labour was initiated in the Jaunsar-Bawar and the Jaunpur-Rawain area of Uttar Pradesh in 1978. Since then a large number of bonded labour have been identified and provided with rehabilitation grants. However, empirically the rehabilitation programme has brought little relief to the ex-bonded labour. Their economic condition has hardly improved and they are still dependent on the high caste land owners. This paper examines the reasons why the rehabilitation programme failed to achieve its objectives through a case study of five villages in the Dasan Khat area of Jaunsar-Bawar.

Fallacy in tribal names : Jarawa, Onge and Sentinelese

Abstract: This ethnolinguistic endeavour is a departure from the conventional use of tribal names such as Jarawa, Onge and Sentinelese. It is concerned with the relationship between the purport and the name as well as the ethnic identity and its distorted signification in the diachronic context. Nothing seems more basic than the dilemma that the Jarawas and Onges do not recognize their popularised name which was observedby Cipriani. And it may spell confusion crystallized between the name and the respective remain as permanent paradoxes. This article is an attempt to trace out the origin and evolution of the tribal names through which the Kernel identity can be reassessed which would help to open a new dialogue in the cultural history of the negrito of Andaman.

Matrilineal system of Nayars of Kerala

Abstract: The Nayars of Kerala have got a conspicuous tradition of matrilineal system which have been intermingled with their variegated facets of life and philosophy. The author has tried, in this paper, to pin-point the nature, trend and cause of development of this particular system in the background of the historical study of the Nayar community and the region of living. Nayar polyandry has also been analysed here and this particular phenomenon has been given significant importance in finding out the role and status of matrilineal system through the ages. The system of inheritance among the Nayars and their earliest patterns of marriage have been analysed in a parallel standpoint through the putting forward of age-old customs and tradition-bound ritualistic performances. Owing to the direct impact of certain enactment the traditional Nayar social system has faced certain changes which have made conspicuous reformation of family law, legalization of the partition of joint family properties, weakening of the Tarawad property and the like causing the crushing down of the traditional structure of the society.

Divorce in a rural north Indian area: evidence from Himachali villages.

Abstract: This study focuses on divorce patterns in 10 rural villages near Shimla town the capital of Himachal Pradesh India. Data were obtained from a survey conducted in 1988 among 338 ever married women. Most villagers are Hindus. Caste groups include Brahmins (13%) Rajputs (45%) and Sudras (42%). Indian divorce consists in a permanent separation without legal formalities or an informal process within the panchayat judicial system. Large national studies indicate low levels of divorce while local anthropological studies indicate high levels in some areas. This study in 1988 indicates that over 17% of women (58 out of 338) in Himachal villages were divorced at least once. Evidence suggests that divorces by cohort were higher prior to 1960. About 30% of women who married during 1951-60 13% of women who married during 1971-80 and 3% of women who married during 1981-88 were divorced at least once. The mean age of marriage for ever divorced women was much lower than for never divorced women. The mean age at divorce was also much lower than the mean age at marriage among never divorced women. The variables associated with divorce at the 0.05 level of significance were marriage age level of female education age difference of spouses and level of education of spouse and caste. Women who married before the age of 13 years were three times more likely to divorce than women who married at ages 13-15 years. Women with at least 5 years of education were four times less likely to divorce than uneducated women. Brahmin women were less likely to divorce. Women with uneducated husbands had a 50% greater chance of being divorced than women with primary educated husbands. Women who were younger by 10 years than their spouse were six times more likely to divorce.