Dimensions Of Anthropology : A Prismatic Panorama

Book Code: 1111008615593

Amitabha Sarkar, Samira Dasgupta

ABOUT THE BOOK

Anthropology is the study of man in a holistic way. One fundamental necessity of anthropological research is the exercise to keep the studies out of any bias or pre-conceived, value- loaded thought, which in turn calls for a rigid exclusion of value judgements. Chemist devotes himself or herself to the understanding of the elements and analyses their behavior in relation to each other at the laboratory, similarly, an anthropologist observes, describe and analyses the contextual situation in the field which is considered as his laboratory. Initially anthropologists devoted their cornerstone to ethnography. Ethnographic study is the base line studies and thereafter by churning and amassing ethnographic data, problem oriented or focused results can be achieved. The present volume is fully concentrated on author’s various empirical studies carried out by Anthropological Survey of India for the last 35 years since 1977. The varied dimensions of anthropological research works are taken into consideration for the present volume. The communities involved in this research work are Toto from West Bengal, Birjia, Asur and Mal Paharia of Jharkhand, Abujh Maria, Muria, Bhatra, Dhurwa and Halba etc tribal population from Chhattisgarh,Dhodia of Gujarat and Bhil of Udaipur , Rajasthan and also from the Sundarbans. The present treatise contains the following dimensions of anthropology, –apart from development of anthropology as an academic discipline, its methodology and development of thoughts, the other dimensions are- kinship system, social organization, social stratification, application of anthropological knowledge regarding concept of space, cultural ecology,concept of ethnoscience among Indian tribes, culture and adaptation,study of traditional knowledge for sustainable living, folk medicine,culture and communication through signal, sign and symbol, ethnicity and identity, religion, cultural synthesis, art and culture and concepts of understanding social-cultural change. More so, this book can help students, NGO’s, planners cum local administrators to gain an insight into anthropology which in turn can equip them with a holistic approach for developmental programmes at micro levels in the tribal dominated areas of the country under specific fields of study, function or operations

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Amitabha Sarkar (Born : 1952) is a M.Sc., Ph.D (Science) in Anthropology from the University of Calcutta and is specialized in advanced Social- Cultural Anthropology. His outstanding empirical contribution towards anthropological research arena is based on impact of industrialization, tribal ethnography, culture ecology, ethno-science, religious belief system being integrative process and culture change alongwith management of environment with traditional knowledge. He has published about 14 (fourteen) books and more than 100 (one hundred) research papers in reputed journals. He possesses 35 years of research experience and has carried out empirical study among tribal and the weaker sections of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal. He is the life member of INCAA, Indian Science Congress Association , Society for Indian Medical Anthropology (SIMA)and Indian Anthropological Society. He was associated with Anthropological Survey of India from 1977 to 2012.He is also a consultant researcher and involve in generating empirical data from tribal area of Odisha.

Dr. (Mrs.) Samira Dasgupta (Born : 1953) is a M.Sc., Ph.D (Science) in Anthropology from the University of Calcutta. She has specialized in Cultural Anthropology and has significant contributions on culture ecology, role and status of tribal women in unorganized sector, tribal ethnography, ethno-science, religious belief system, traditional knowledge system among the tribals and cultural tourism etc. A perceptive researcher, her works have won glowing praise across the academic sphere. She has published 11 (eleven) books and about 95 (ninety five) research papers in various reputed journals of the country. She possesses 35 years of research experience and has carried out intensive field work among various tribal communities and weaker sections of Rajasthan, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand. She is a life member of INCAA, Indian Science Congress Association, Indian Anthropological Society and Society for Indian Medical Anthropology (SIMA). She was associated with Anthropological Survey of India from 1977 to 2013 and carried out several research projects for AnSI where during XIth Plan Period she was involved with the study of Tangible & Intangible Cultural Heritage-- Traditional Knowledge System: Ethno Medicine. She is also involved as a consultant researcher and is devoted in generating empirical data from tribal area of Odisha .

CONTENTS

Preface 7 1. Introduction: The Basics of Anthropology 9 2. Field Methods and Techniques 19 3. Development of Social Thought 29 4. Kinship Pattern and Systems 49 • Birjia – a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group of Jharkhand • Abujh Maria – a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group of Chhattishgarh • Kandh (ST) and Kui Domanga or Pano (SC) of Kandhamal, Odisha 5. Study on Social Organisations 77 • Social Organisation of Abujh Maria of Tribal Bastar: Communion between Celestial and Terrestrial Life • Social Organisation of Birjia of Netarhat Plateau of Jharkhand 6. Social Stratification of Bastar Tribes 103 7. Anthropology of Culture of Space among Indian 113 Tribes: Application of Anthropological Knowledge for Community Development 8. Conceptual Approaches to the Study in Cultural Ecology 1239. Anthropological Research in Ethnosciences— 137 The Indian Scenario 10. Culture and Adaptation 147 • Impact of Environment on Culture: Adaptation being the survival strategy among the Sundarban Tribes • Culture and Adaptation among Hilly Terrain Inhabitants of Odisha 11. Study of Traditional Knowledge 183 • For Sustainable Development: Traditional Knowledge for Sustenance among the Asur • Study of Ethno-Medicine: (i) Use of Herbal Medicine Among the Mal Paharia (ii) Use of Herbal Medicine in Tribal Bastar (iii) Use of Herbal Medicines Among the Toto 12. Anthropology of Signals, Signs and Symbols in 269 Indian Context—a study on culture and Communication • Role of Bakung-the auspicious Drums and Social Division Among the Toto • Ritual symbolism: Cultural ethos among the Malpaharia 13. Study of Ethnicity and Identity 289 • Ethnicity: Identity and Conflict among Tribal Women Labours • Cultrual Mechanism of Ethnic Boundary Maintenance among the Dhodia 14. Anthropology of Religion 303 • Mal Paharia: Impact of Belief System on Life and Culture • Religious Belief: Rituals and Festivals at Pargana or Village Level at Bastar 15. Cultural Synthesis 343 16. Anthropology of Art and Culture 363 17. Concepts of Understanding Social/Cultural Change 385 Index 397