Leaving the Traditional Livelihood: A Case Study on Mawallis of Sundarban

Abstract

The Mawallis are traditional occupational group in the local people of Sundarban. Wild honey collection is their main livelihood. They use most wonderful indigenous knowledge and technique to collect honey from the dense forest. It is their popular livelihood and income. Presently lots of issue affects their traditional livelihood. They try to hold on to their profession but poor socio-economical condition compels them to change their traditional way of earning. Some external and internal social, economical and environmental pressures are responsible for this change. At the same time new generation does not give any positive response in favour of this profession. So the tendency is very clear that it will change in near future. In this study, I try to find out the responsible socio-economical conditions of present scenario behind the changing patterns of traditional livelihood of mawallis community.