Adivasi - v57_No.1-2

Abstract

This is the 57th volume number one and two of Adivasi - the oldest anthropological research journal of Odisha. In this issue we are presenting five articles based on empirical research contributed by six research scholars. The first article contributed by Dr. Devdas Mohanty is titled "Development Practice among the Disadvantaged: Keeping the Culture intact". In this paper he has stated that the development practitioners,when given an opportunity, can become the real catalysts of development and change on the ground keeping culture of the social milieu intact. In this context he has presented a case study of a micro enterprise of 45 tribal nontribal women named in a remote rural tribal pocket in Rayagada district of Odisha started by the local corporate houses foe economic empowerment women. Named Project Saksham, it is a modern garment training cum production centre that established that coming together of corporate, community and expertise of development professionals can bring change in the quality of life of people. The second article titled "Continuity and Change of Tribal Culture in Odisha: A Critical Review" written by Anil Ota & Jagannath Lenka highlights the key tangible and intangible culture components of the tribals of Odisha deducing the dimensions of stability and change in tribal culture. The findings of the study indicate that the interplay of stability and change is an evident pattern across the tribal communities of the state. The third one "Preserving the Traditional Healthcare Knowledge of the Displaced Tribal Communities from the Protected Areas in India" authored by Ms. Madhulika Sahoo presents case studies of the problems of involuntary displacement of tribals from two protected forest areas. It highlights the importance of the traditional healthcare knowledge of the tribals and the way it is diminishing because of displacement. The fourth article "The Role of "Barabhai" in Development of Juangs" contributed by NiladariBihari Mishra discusses the usefulness of the age old traditional socio-cultural institution of Barabhai of the Juang tribe a corporate body of village elders and leaders in implementation of development programmes. The fifth article contributed by Shri S.C. Mohanty, is a short descriptive ethnography of the Jodia / JhodiaParojatribe titled "Jodia / JhodiaParoja of South Odisha". In this paper, the author has presented the empirical data along with the relevant data from a number of published ethnographic literatures that will be useful to the researchers who are working or will work on this colourful tribe. I express my sincere thanks to the paper contributors for their painstaking efforts in preparing and presenting their articles. I am also grateful to Shri S.C.Mohanty, Associate Editor of Adivasi and Consultant, SCSTRTI for giving a lot of time for a thorough reading and editing of all the articles and giving substantial time and effort for bringing out this issue. It is hoped that these articles will be of much help to the researchers, development practitioners, academicians and general readers interested in conducting research and acquiring knowledge in tribal society and culture.