Adivasi - v54_No.1-2

Abstract

Taking birth in the name of Tribal Research Bureau (TRB) way back in 1952 soon after the independence, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) of Odisha not only has the distinction of being the oldest Tribal Research Institute (TRI) of the Country, but it is also credited with the publication this nationally reputed oldest Anthropological Research Journal of Odisha titled Adivasi incorporating the original articles of reputed anthropologists, sociologists, development practitioners, experts and researchers who have worked and gained knowledge and experience in the field of tribal and non-tribal societies and cultures. This veteran research journal of Odisha which is over 50 years old has come up with its 54th volume. Being published uninterruptedly it has endeavored to publish research articles on various aspects of the society, culture and problems of Odishan tribes and castes over these years and marching with the time it has gloriously entered into its 54th year of publication. Adivasi is to be published bi-annually in June and December every year. Under unavoidable circumstances including the paucity of required standard empirical research papers, it has not been possible to bring out half yearly issues and therefore, this combined Special Issue is being released this year. In the present 54th volume (No.1 & 2, June & December 2014), 11 articles based on the rich experience and sincere efforts of eminent research scholars are being presented. The first article titled "Folk Knowledge on Utilitarian Aspects of Plants: Findings from Chuktia Bhunjia and Gonds in Sonabera Plateau" is the outcome of team work of B. Mohapatra, R. Parida, M.K. Jena and A.B. Ota. In this paper they have emphasized the fact that Odishan tribes are distinguished by their inexhaustible indigenous knowledge (IK) of plants, plant-animal interactions and the ethno-ecological perceptions on the nature and natural processes. This IK is based on utilitarian and cognitive aspects of their socio- cultural links with the surrounding nature. In more subtle terms such IK systems are their indigenous knowledge domain which is a manifestation of their acute and continuous observation and interpretation of their habitat and surroundings. On the same domain of rich indigenous knowledge system on Ethno-Medicine of an Odishan tribe comes the second article, "Indigenous Plant Medicine for Fertility Regulation: A Study on the Bhumija Tribe of Odisha" jointly contributed by Bijayalaxmi Dash and N. C. Dash. It focuses on the use of indigenous plant medicine for fertility regulation among the Bhumija tribe. It reveals that eighteen plant species belonging to fifteen plant families are being used as traditional medicines for the cure of different fertility related problems by their village medicine men, elderly persons and the traditional experienced midwives who attend the deliveries. Since, in these days the process of change has threatened this indigenous knowledge and treatment, there is an urgent need to preserve and protect such rich indigenous medical knowledge from complete desertion. The third one produced by Manas Ranjan Sahoo and Upali Aparajita and captioned "Industrialization and Protest Movements in India: An Anthropological Perspective" speaks about a recent problem of worldwide concern, i.e., situation of displacement and rehabilitation of the Project Affected People (PAPs) and their stiff resistance for mega industrial projects like the Arcelor-Mittal steel project in Kendujhar district in Odisha. Such protest movements have forced the concerned entrepreneurs and governments either to reconsider the problems of displacement or take necessary measures to address these problems or to abandon the project. The fourth paper written by Dr. Nishakar Panda dwells on the related subject of "Mining in Odisha and Tribal Displacement". It states that the mineral rich State of Odisha have attracted many multi-national companies to establish plants, industries in the State and by this time in the tribal areas a number of industries have already come up and several others have signed MOUs with the State Government to operate. In this process vast areas of land has been acquired and going to be acquired and the tribals are the most affected which is a matter of concern. The following paper (5th) titled "Changing Food Habits and Nutritional Status of Savars in Jajpur District of Odisha" is the outcome of empirical research by Dr. Kedarnath Dash. It speaks about the traditional food consumption pattern of Savars, their various ways of obtaining food including the associated habits and beliefs while trying to assess the changing perspectives regarding their food habits and nutritional status. Dr. K.P. Jena's paper "Employment and Livelihood Patterns of the Adivasis In Odisha and their Economic Development: An Empirical Analysis" appears as the 6th article. It highlights the common malady of the trials of Odisha i.e., the limited occupational diversification, low income, chronic poverty, deforestation, and land alienation. "Development Projects and Tribal Rights: The dimension of Tribal Human Rights violations in independent India" by Dr. Anil Ota, a young scholar is the 7th paper of this volume stating about the dynamics and nature of Tribal Human Rights violations caused by Industrial and Mining Projects in independent India. The 8th article, "Status of Didayi Women of Malkangiri District of Odisha" authored by Gopinath Pradhan analyzes the status of Didayi (PTG) women of Malkangiri district and identifies some of the important determinants of women empowerment. He holds the opinion that in the tribal society the women enjoy a better status. The 9th article on "Santal Durbar and Its Democratic Role" jointly contributed by Suresh Ch. Murmu and Nilamadhaba Kanhar highlights the traditional political organization, especially the institution of Durbar of the Santal society in Rairangpur area in Mayurbhanj district which is still very effective with their democratic way of decision making and in maintenance of social order. The 10th one titled "Cultural Continuity and Change among the Snake Charmers of Odisha" is prepared by a young research scholar Sushree Sangita Mohanty. Working among the traditional snake charmers called "Sapua Kela" of Padmakesharipur, Bhubaneswar, she has observed how the forces like Urbanization, Sanskritization and the implementation of the Wild Life (Protection) Act had forced them to give up their traditional profession and look for alternative livelihood. The credit for presenting the 11th article titled "Education of Tribal Women in Odisha : An Insight" goes to Dr. Kasturi Panda. In this paper she has highlighted the educational status of tribal women and concluded that tribal women of Odisha are economically, socially and educationally backward when compared to the mainstream society. I express my sincere gratitude to all the paper contributors for their sincere efforts in contributing the articles for this volume of Adivasi. My sincere and heartfelt thanks goes to Shri S.C. Mohanty, OSD (Research) and the Associate Editor of Adivasi who, like the previous years, has burnt his midnight oil for bringing out this volume. Without his dedicated efforts this issue would not have seen the light of the day. I also hope that the articles incorporated in this volume will be helpful to the researchers, academicians, development practitioners and all those who are interested on the subject. I earnestly request all our readers to enlighten us with their valuable suggestions for bringing further improvements to this age old research journal.