Dancing bears in India: A sloth bear status report

Vidyawarta Peer-Reviewed International Publication, 2019

From Tsiam to the Hindu Kush: Kalasha People and their Culture, 2019

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2006

The Indian Government aspires to eliminate Kala-azar by 2010. Success of any disease control program depends on community participation, and there is no published data about the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the community about Kala-azar in endemic regions of India. For this knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) study, the heads of 3,968 households in a rural area, consisting of 26,444 populations, were interviewed using a pre-tested, semi-structured schedule. Most of the study subjects (97.4%) were aware of Kala-azar. Fever (71.3%) and weight loss (30.5%) were the most commonly known symptoms. The infectious nature of the disease was known to 39.9%. The majority believed that the disease spreads by mosquito bites (72.8%). For 63.6%, the breeding site of the vector was garbage collection. Only 23.6% preferred the public health sector for treatment, and 55.9% believed that facilities at primary health centers are not adequate. Poor knowledge of the study subjects about the disease and breeding sites of the vector underscores the need for health educational campaigns if the elimination program is to succeed.

Asian Ethnology, 2019

The Bedia, a Scheduled Tribe (ST) community found mainly in eastern India, contains a group of performers within it who live by performing bahurūpī— referring to one who can take many forms—which has been termed as the “chameleon art” in some government documents. Bahurūpī performance is referenced in many of India’s historical texts, some of which date back to the pre-Christian era. The present study was conducted among an entire troupe of bahurūpī Bedias living together in a single village. The Bedias constitute a mosaic of groups living according to different economic persuasions, and they can arguably be said to have multiple origins. They present an interesting case on the tribe/caste continuum on the one hand; on the other, they bring before us a unique case of cultural adjustment through occupational specialization. They have gradually transitioned from a nomadic style of life to a semi-nomadic or sedentary lifestyle. In the present article, the performing tradition of bahurūpī has been socio-historically contextualized along with the description of the nature of their performance, performers, training of performers, audience, patronization, and recent changes. The example of the bahurūpī provides us with valuable data concerning the nature of survival among small communities in the Indian context, since they display multiple layers of identities at the economic, social, and political or administrative levels.

Trans Stellar Journals, 2021

Kurumbas are a recognised scheduled tribe in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They are one of the earliest known inhabitants of the Western Ghats, collecting and harvesting forest produce, primarily wild honey and wax. They have traditionally subsisted as hunters and gatherers. They live in jungles on the plateau's steep edge, where they conduct shifting agriculture as well as feeding and catching tiny birds and animals. Historically, the Kurumbas and other tribes have enjoyed a cooperative relationship that includes the trading of commodities and services. Members of this group are short, have a dark complexion and prominent brows of their community practise Hinduism and speak a language that is a hybrid of Dravidian dialects.

Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 2018

The present article unfurls the problems encountered by the Kadar tribe of Kerala. Kadar is one of the five particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) located in the premises of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Vazhachal Forest Division, to the south of it and in the vicinity of the Athirappilly Waterfalls on riverside of Chalakudy. The study highlights the problems encountered by this tribal community. The particular problems extracted from the study were lack of adequate finance, exploitation by the government officials, problems in finding employment for a minimum standard of living, lack of education, lack of stable income, threat of displacement, alcoholism among members of the family, long distance to educational, medical and commercial institutions, rules and regulations of the government, delay in getting the payments from government agencies, ill health and malnutrition, drain of forest resources and financial liability of the household, lack of infrastructure fac...

Socio-Cultural Life of the Kalasha People of Chitral: A Study of their Festivals, 2019

The paper seeks to examine the cultural life of the Kalasha people and their festivals. It particularly focuses on Joshi, Rat Nat & Uchaw, Pul and Winter Solstice: the Chawmos festivals points out their role in the lives of the Kalasha tribe. Primarily, the study is based on documentary evidences recorded in secondary sources and combined with the data collected by the current researcher during various field visits and ethnographic surveys to the Kalashdesh (Kalasha valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir). The study probes the meanings of festivities and their cultural significance among the Kalasha tribe.

Remarking An Analisation, 2020

Gujjar and Bakarwal establish the two famous traveling innate gatherings of Jammu and Kashmir. Gujjar and Bakarwal are the third biggest ethnic gathering in Jammu and Kashmir comprise over 11.9% of the aggregate population of the state (Census, 2011); Both ancestral gatherings of Jammu And Kashmir State are for the most part subject to raising of sheep and goat. Individuals had a place with Gujjar and Bakarwal communities are immaculate with the joy of outside world. The political socialization of Gujjar and Bakarwals in the state isn't great when contrasted with different networks. Both these innate gathering assume an urgent job in meeting the necessity of drain and meat for the urban communities and towns and subsequently contribute altogether to the domesticated animal’s area of the state.