Primitive Tribal Groups Research Articles

The Paniya Tribes in Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu

Paniyans are one among the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG’s) in Tamil Nadu. The Paniyans or Paniyas are found in the Southern part of the India in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. They are concentrated mainly in the Gudalur and Pandalur taluks of the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. The Paniya are one of the five ancient tribal communities of Tamil Nadu. They dwell in different hill and forest areas of Tamil Nadu. Various districts where the Paniya tribes have built their settlements. Include Gudalur block and Pandalur Taluk. The detailed information about the origin of the Paniya tribe is still unclear, but some details relating to this tribal community signify a little about the extraction of this tribal group. Thick lips, dark complexion and curly hair are the physical appearance of the Paniya people.

DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE OF THE PEOPLE OF LODHA TRIBE OF MAYURBHANJ OF ODISHA IN EASTERN INDIA

Odisha is regarded as the homeland of a number of different types of tribes, which have been considered as Scheduled Tribe numbering sixty two. Among the total 62 Tribes, 13 Ethno-cultural Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). In the later, these 13 Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) including Lodha tribe have been considered by Governments of India as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).In India, the people of Lodha tribe are living mainly in the forest covered boarder district of Midnapur in West Bengal, Mayurbhanj in Odisha and Singbhum in Jharkhand. The study of development and change of Lodha tribe / community of Mayurbhanj of Odisha is one of the important aspects of the whole tribal development of India. In Odisha, the Lodha is a small tribe and the people this Primitive tribe are mainly found resided in the Morada and Suliapada regions (Block) of Mayurbhanja. The Lodhas are the jungle inhabitants and they are residing in the remote areas of Mayurbhanj. The aim of this paper is to highlight the development and change of the people of Lodha tribe of Mayurbhanj in respect of their various aspects like economic, educational, religious practices, housing and settlement, health and sanitation, village council, etc. as far as practicable on the part of present author. For the writing of this article, both the primary and secondary sources are meticulously used by the author.

SOCIAL LIFE OF HILL KHARIAS OF MAYURBHANJ OF ODISHA IN EASTERN INDIA: AHISTORICAL ANALYSIS

The social life of Hill Kharias of Mayurbhanj is one of the fascinating aspects of the tribal history of Odisha in Eastern India. In India 75 Particular Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) inhabit in various geographical regions and out of these 13 Particular Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)reside in Odisha. Especially, Mayurbhanj is a tribal dominated district where 53 tribes and4 Particular Vulnerable Tribal Groups are inhabited. Out of these, Hill Kharias is one of the major PVTGs in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Accounts of Hill Kharias are all the more intriguing and chasing and assembling as well. They move in the backwards looking for nourishment around the year. They are semi-migrant tribe and their sustainability completely relies on forest. Now-a-days as they are not additionally getting timberland assets as they were getting prior. Still their monetary condition is poor right now. In fact, the social life of Hill Kharias of Mayurbhanj is very interesting study for the scholars to know the history of one of the primitive tribal groups of Odisha. The empirical study has been done by the present scholars to focus on the social activities of Hill Kharias of Mayurbhanj. Different aspects of social life of Hill Kharias of Mayurbhanj liketheir family, clans, housing pattern, birth and death rituals, marriage system, health and hygiene, social council, educational system, change and development, etc. have been highlighted in the present piece of work. Methodologically, both the primary and secondary sources have been used in this article to access the social life of Hill Kharias of Mayurbhanj of Odisha in Eastern India

Baiga tribals: An ethnographic study (in context to Madhya Pradesh

The present study focused on socio-cultural aspect of Baiga community, the Baiga is a primitive tribal group of central India, and researcher discussed on geographical distribution, group wise classification, social institution, economy, language, art, habitat etc., document the traditional practices for the cure of different ailments by Baiga. Present study is based on secondary data, In order to collect authentic data, intensive library work in various national, state and other library. Present study present the anthropological picture of a primitive tribe and introduce a ancient tribe to academic world in 21st century.

High Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Primitive Tribes of Eastern India and Associated Sociobehavioral Risks for Transmission: A Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose: The primitive tribal groups (PTGs) need special attention because of their low population growth: declining population size with high mortality rates. Scanty reports are available on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in primitive tribes of the country emphasizing their cultural and social practices associated with transmission of the disease.Methods: The study was conducted on 1765 tribal individuals covering 5 PTGs, namely Lodha, Saora, Khadia, Juanga, and Mankidia, from 6 districts of Odisha. Serum samples were tested for the anti-HCV antibody using commercially available enzyme immunoassays. HCV RNA was detected based on the 5′ NCR region and genotyping was done by direct sequencing of the core region. Potential risk factors for HCV transmission were collected using a questionnaire and subjected to regression analysis through SPSS, version 17.0.Results: Antibody to HCV was detected in 0%, 3.3%, 5.7%, 8.5%, and 13.4% in Saora, Lodha, Khadia, Juanga, and Mankidia tribes, respectively. HCV RNA was detected in 8.6% (11/127) of the samples tested. Genotyping of HCV isolates in all HCV RNA-positive samples revealed genotype 1b. Sharing of razors and shaving by the village barber were found to be significantly (p<0.05) associated with HCV transmission in males, whereas tattooing and multiple injections were found to be significant risk factors for females.Conclusion: This study indicated a high prevalence of HCV infection in Mankidia and Juanga tribes in comparison with the national scenario, which needs public health attention.

Demand-side analysis of measuring financial inclusion

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure the financial inclusion dimensions from the perspective of beneficiaries (demand-side).This research additionally attempts to assess the impact of financial inclusion on socio-economic status of primitive tribal groups (PTGs) in India.Design/methodology/approachUsing an exploratory factor analysis, the financial inclusion dimensions are identified for a sample of 520 families belonging to PTGs in India. In the next step, reliability and validity test were used to establish the financial inclusion dimensions and socio-economic status factors through confirmatory factor analysis using analysis of moment structures. Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) had been applied for testing the hypothetical relationships.FindingsThe study documented five-dimensions of measuring financial inclusion from demand side perspective. The dimensions are as follows: physical proximity, availability, ease of access, affordability and usage. It was found that these factors represent the various dimensions of financial inclusion, which has a significant impact on socio-economic status of the beneficiaries.Research limitations/implicationsThe research results focus on dimensions of financial inclusion, which have an impact on the socio-economic status among the most PTGs in India. The research offers ideas to policymakers to outline strategies to enhance the access to and usage of financial services.Originality/valueThe present research is one of the first few studies that present the demand-side perspective to assess the financial inclusion dimensions of the “financially most excluded” groups – PTGs in India using a SEM approach.

Spoligotyping, phenotypic and genotypic characterization of katG, rpoB gene of M. tuberculosis isolates from Sahariya tribe of Madhya Pradesh India

BackgroundSahariya, a primitive tribal group, residing in Gwalior and Sheopur districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, show high incidence and prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). The study was designed to understand the genetic diversity and phenotype — genotype association of drug resistant M. tuberculosis strains, infecting Sahariya tribe. Materials and methodsA total of 103 pulmonary tuberculosis patients from Sahariya tribe were recruited from Gwalior and Sheopur districts. Sputum samples were collected and cultured on LJ slants and drug sensitivity tests were carried out. Genomic DNA was extracted, followed by spoligotyping and genotyping of drug target genes, katG and rpoB, using MAS-PCR, PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing. ResultSeventeen different spoligotypes were identified, in which, EAI3_IND/ST11 M. tuberculosis strain appeared predominant, followed by CAS1_Delhi/ST26. Results of our phenotypic drug susceptibility test identified high incidence (12.6%) of isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis, while 4.85% isolates were multi drug resistant (MDR). Further genotyping of drug target genes identified 8.7% of isoniazid-R isolates to have a mutation at katG codon 463, while 3.8% isolates showed mutations at two sites, katG codons 315 and 463. In case of MDR-TB isolates, all from CAS lineage, 3.85% had mutations on katG and rpoB genes, at codon 463 and codon 526, respectively, while 0.97% isolates were harbouring mutations at codons 315, 463 and 531. ConclusionOur findings have revealed that EAI3_IND strain is the predominant strain infecting Sahariya. The incidence of isoniazid-R M. tuberculosis strain infection is high, with an increased propensity to evolve into MDR-TB. Therefore, the TB centres should also consider isoniazid-R status of the isolates along with CBNAAT before deciding the drug regimen for the patients.

Emerging Health Care Model in India: Road-Map for Universal Healthcare

Background India with 1.34 billion population is facing unique health care delivery problems particularly regarding the poor spending on health, access, quality, safety, lack of accountability, corruption, etc. Inequalities and health-related expenses resulting in impoverishment further marginalises the poor, underprivileged and outreach. The government of India has come up with a highly ambitious initiative Ayushman Bharat - National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) as a shift from traditional health planning approaches towards a comprehensive healthcare vision. Methods Literature available, government publications, documents, press releases and other related material has been consulted to critically analyse the NHPM initiative. Results AB-NHPS was officially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2018, in his Independence Day speech. This flagship project will be launched on September 25. The objective of ambitious AB-NHPSis to provide coverage of INR 500,00 per family annually, benefiting more than 10 crore poor families. The scheme will target poor, deprived rural families and identified occupational category of urban workers' families, 8.03 crore in rural and 2.33 crore in urban areas, as per the latest Socio-economic Caste Census (SECC) data. The eligibility criteria include: 10 crore families belonging to poor and vulnerable population based on SECC database, will take care of almost all secondary care and most of tertiary care procedures, the entitlement will be decided on the basis of deprivation criteria in the SECC database, automatically included families in rural areas having any one of the following: households without shelter, destitute, living on alms, manual scavenger families, primitive tribal groups, legally released bonded labour, will also come under this scheme. For urban areas, 11 defined occupational categories will be entitled under the scheme, the treatment in case of hospitalization will be free of cost for the family, all pre-existing conditions will be covered from day one of the policy. The benefit cover will include pre and post hospitalization and the beneficiary will be able to go to public or empanelled private hospitals across the country and get free treatment. Conclusion The NHPS enjoys a guaranteed potential to improve the lives of millions of Indians. The scheme is prominent against the backdrop that several Central Ministries and State/UT Governments have launched health insurance/ protection schemes for their own specific set of beneficiaries. To improve their efficiency, reach and coverage, a critical need has been recognized to converge these schemes, such as the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and the Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS). This article presents the critical analysis of policy initiative, philosophy, key features, implications, impact, concerns, constraints and paving the way for future healthcare solutions. Funding: Not Applicable Declaration of Interest: None Ethical Approval: Not Applicable/Not Required

From Jat-Jati to Janjati: Demands for Recognition as Scheduled Tribe and Claims of Indigeneity in Darjeeling

Drawing from the empirical study conducted in Darjeeling, this article discusses the recent demands made by different ethnic groups and their associations for recognition as scheduled tribes (STs) in India. The article explores the historical process through which identities were constituted in Darjeeling and also examines their transformation in subsequent years. The article discusses the discursive strategies adopted by ethnic associations to frame their identities as primitive tribal and indigenous group of the Darjeeling in contemporary time. It highlights how such demands by ethnic groups indicate a growing concern for political empowerment and a perennial quest to reaffirm their belongingness to the nation state.

Ethno-medicine for Gastrointestinal Diseases by the Savaras of Andhra Pradesh

Exclusive studies on gastrointestinal diseases by the Savaras , a primitive tribal group in Andhra Pradesh are not reported necessitating the present investigation. The study yielded 102 species of pants covering 92 genera and 53 families used for curing gastrointestinal ailments. Fabaceae is the dominant family with 7 species followed by Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae (6 each); Caesalpiniaceae, Rutaceae, Rubiaceae, Liliaceae (4 each) and others. Herbs are dominant (42.15%) followed by trees (33.33%), shrubs (14.70%) and climbers (9.80%). Leaf is used in maximum practices (26.97%) followed by root (21.71%), stem bark (13.81%), seed and whole plant (7.89% each), root bark (5.26%), rhizome (3.36%), bulb (2.63%), stem and gum (1.31% each) and others. Allmania nodiflora , Tephrosia procumbens and 66 practices were found to be new or less known.

Bio-resource utilization for food and medicine: a case study of a primitive tribal group of Jharkhand, India

This paper is an endeavour to define and describe the diversity contained in circumstances surrounding the Sauria Paharia food and medicine system and the wealth of knowledge of their local environment. Sauria Paharia is one of the nine primitive tribal groups of Jharkhand. This hill tribe still practice shifting cultivation and have a definite system of knowledge transmission pattern of resource utilization over the generations. The present research is an outcome of an in-depth study carried out in a purposively selected uni-ethnic village of Pakur district of Jharkhand. The village is inhabited by only 22 household of Sauria Paharia comprising of 108 souls. Despite their insignificant numerical strength, the community has evolved a very comprehensive system of food management that not only help in sustaining their nutritional requirements but also ensure their medicinal necessities. The data were mainly collected with the help of structured schedule followed by open ended interview in a group and individually as well. Participant observation becomes handy during trail walk through the forest accompanied by few ‘expert’ villagers in identifying critical resources that are used by the villagers during the distress period like drought or during crop failure. With regard to the medicinal plant knowledge key informant interview was conducted to understand and document the folk medicine system. Local medicine-man ( Guru ), who mainly prepare medicine from different parts of plants, administers the treatment in their traditional way was interviewed. The data on dietary intake pattern, food availability, pattern of harvest, key food preparation have been categorized and described in the paper. Finally the article argues the importance of sustaining the knowledge of such small scale community to ensure the conservation of critical resources for the benefit of mankind. Keywords: Food system, Indigenous Knowledge, Critical resource conservation, Sauria Paharia , Jharkhand

A Qualitative Study on the Health and Education of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGS) of Gudalur, Tamil Nadu

In India, Tribal constitute 8.61% of the total population numbering 104.28 million (2011 Census) and cover about 15% of the country’s area. Nilgiri district had the highest percentage of (3.16%) scheduled tribe population in Tamil Nadu. About 50% of the tribal population is concentrated in Gudalur taluk, the remaining 50% of the tribal population is distributed in the other three taluks. Toda, Kota, Irula Kurumba, Kattunayakan and Paniya were the six primitive tribal groups found in Nilgiri. The study facilitates to understand the health and educational status of the tribes in 3 villages Kadalakolly, Muttimoola and Thangamalai at Gudalur taluk using qualitative method. The finding shows that there exist less importance to health and education and lack of motivation in progress of education and health which leads to the poor health and lack of knowledge and awareness. The study suggests the implementation of the community organization as a social work method to stimulate a professional approach to develop them.

Ethnomedicine for Piles by the Primitive Tribal Groups of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

Ethnomedicinal studies on piles are not many necessitating the present investigation. It yielded 28 species covering as many genera and 23 families used by the PTGs of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, Convolvulaceae, Araceae and Liliaceae are the dominant families with 2 species each and the rest of the families each represented by one species. Habit-wise analysis showed the dominance of trees with 11 species followed by herbs (10 spp) and others. Plant part-wise analysis showed the usage of stem bark in 10 practices followed by leaf (7), root (6) and others. Nineteen practices were found to be new or less known. Phytochemical investigations are needed for further use.

Primitive Tribal Groups under the Threat of Extinction – A Demographic Study across the States in India

Along with the constitutional safeguards these Scheduled tribe communities have been provided different measures by the central and state governments in a bid to ameliorate their living conditions since the First Five Year Plan. Taking a cue from the Dhebar Commission (1961), study team on Tribal Development Programmes (1969) found marked imbalances in the development of the tribal communities and a large number of communities remaining in extremely backward conditions in the primitive food - gathering stage. In the review of tribal welfare programmes on the eve of the Fifth Plan it was realized that certain S.T. Communities were marginalized and left out of the reach of the development. The poorest of the poor among the scheduled tribes were categorized as Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) in 1975–76 and thereafter in 1993. The present research paper is an attempt to analyze the growth rates of the P.T.G. population over the census year. It is found in the study that the growth rates of population of the PTGs have been relatively low in comparison to those of the overall S.T. population and general population in all the census years under study and some tribes are on the verge of extinction.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus in primitive tribes of Odisha, eastern India

Background and objective: Among the indigenous population of India, Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) are vulnerable to various health related events and some of the PTGs are showing a decline in population associated with high mortality rates. The present study was undertaken to define the prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, its genetic characterization and possible risk factors for transmission in five PTGs in Odisha, India.Methods: Cross-sectional observational studies were carried out in the Lodha, Saora, Khadia, Mankidia, and Juanga tribes residing in different parts of Odisha between 2006 and 2010.Results: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence was 0·8%, 0·9%, 0·9%, 3·7%, and 1·7% in Lodha, Saora, Khadia, Mankidia, and Juanga tribes, respectively. While 54·8% of seropositive (HBsAg) cases demonstrated HBV DNA, occult HBV infection was observed in 19·48% of cases. High viral load with detectable ‘e’ antigen was found in 29% of HBsAg-positive individuals. All HBV isolates (n = 17) were genotype D without pre-core mutants. Only 15·6% of HBV positive individuals had symptoms of hepatic disease, though none had severe manifestations. Multivariate analysis of the prevailing risk factors indicated that shaving by the village barber was significantly associated with HBV transmission in males. Tattooing was found to be significantly associated with females.Interpretation and conclusion: This is the first report on HBV infection in PTGs of Odisha that suggests a high potential for transmission of HBV infection in two PTGs (Mankidia and Juanga). It warrants early public health attention in tribal populations vulnerable to HBV infection.

Ethnomedicine for Cuts and Wounds by the Primitive Tribal Groups of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

The primitive tribal groups viz., Gadaba, Khond, Porja and Savara of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh use 33 plants species belonging to 32 genera and 25 families for curing cuts and wounds. Litsea deccanensis and 5 practices among wounds and 6 for cuts among both cuts and wounds and one for both were found to be new.

Ethnobotany of common wild foods of primitive tribal groups of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh

The present study documents the traditional wild food plants used by the primitive tribal groups of Visakhapatnam district. A total of 24 plant species involving 19 genera and 18 families are used as wild foods. Among them 7 species each are herbs and trees, 6 shrubs and 4 climbers. It is observed that traditional knowledge on wild food plants is quite high among the primitive tribal groups. Efforts should be made to educate younger generation of other tribal groups before the knowledge is lost.

Ethnomedicine for fever by the Primitive Tribal Groups of North-coastal Andhra Pradesh

The study was undertaken with the main objective of evaluating plants used for curing fever by the primitive tribal groups of North-coastal Andhra Pradesh. 61 medicinal plant species belonging to 59 genera and 41 families were reported. Three species and 21 practices were found to be new.

The Riang of Tripura in Transition

In India, the tribal people live in different ecological conditions spread over a vast geographical tract across the country. While understanding these tribal communities as anthropologists, we refer to ‘structure’ as ‘social structure’, which consists of all those relatively stable features of a social system, that may be understood, perhaps, by a consideration of the continuity of social structure through time. The present paper attempts to make an overview of the Riang, the most numerically dominant Primitive Tribal Group of northeastern India, to generate information in the tight of ecology, habitat, demography, language, economy, social system, religion, politics, acculturation, the processes of change and so on in terms of the dimensions of time and space. One of the major concerns of the present study is to look into the structure of the Riang society to get a normative pattern of a particular tribal society of Tripura and it will also be a major concern to decipher the process of transformation that has taken place in their society through the passage of time. It is apparent that the process of transformation took place in stages where history played a major role.

Spectrum of Hemoglobinopathies Among the Primitive Tribes

We evaluated the spectrum of hemoglobinopathies among the primitive tribal groups from 4 states in India. A total of 15,200 individuals from 14 primitive tribal groups were studied by automated high-performance liquid chromatography. The hemoglobin S (HbS) allele frequency varied from 0.011 to 0.120 and the β-thalassemia allele frequency from 0.005 to 0.024. It is interesting to note that a very high HbS allele frequency was observed among the Dravidian (0.060-0.120) and Indo-European (0.060-0.076) as compared with Austro-Asiatic (0.011-0.022) speaking tribal groups. Although statistical analysis of the data did not show any ethnic differences within the states, regional differences were observed between the states for both HbS and β-thalassemia traits. HbS was found to be the most common hemoglobinopathy followed by β-thalassemia. A health plan for identifying sickle-cell homozygotes in the neonatal period with proper medical intervention is desirable.