Anthropometry of Tribal Farm Women to Improvise Hand Tool Designs for Bastar District of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Bastar district is a cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh and tribal dominated (66.3%) area. The population comprises of 42 tribes, the prominent tribes being Muria, Abhujmaria, Dandami, Gond, Maria, Dorla, Bhattra, Halba, Dhurwa, and Kawar. The economy of this region is primarily agriculture based, followed by forest-produces. Use of traditional tools like wooden mallet (khotla), indigenous plough and sickle are overwhelming while improved tools and equipment are negligible. Traditional equipment generates early fatigue, callus in hands, and drudgery for tribal women largely involved in farming. Anthropometric data of 100 tribal women between the age group of 18-45 years were measured. Statistically analysed data revealed that tribal women of Bastar had maximum stature of 1,870 mm and 1,400 mm as minimum with a mean of 1,523 mm. The standard deviation and CV were 80.6 mm and 5.29%, respectively. The maximum hand (right) pull strength for 5th and 95th percentile was 36.6 N and 117.6 N, respectively. Anthropometric data was utilized to improvise the design of khotla and indigenous plough. The maximum length of khotla handle was decided to be 2,105 mm, while that of minimum length was 1,620 mm. The total weight of khotla could be reduced by 23 per cent. Consequently, ΔHR reduced by 20-25 bpm from earlier value of 40 bpm. The weight of indigenous plough could also be reduced by 16% (3.8 kg) by shortening the length of the handle and the beam.