Primitive Tribes Research Articles

Assessment of Periodontal Status of Konda Reddy Tribe in Bhadrachalam, Khammam District, India.

Though great strides have been taken globally in the fight against oral diseases, problems persist especially among poor, disadvantaged and socially marginalised communities like tribes. Konda Reddies are one of the most primitive tribes of Bhadrachalam who because of their isolation, inaccessibility to dental resources and lack of dental knowledge follow traditional methods of oral hygiene practices, which are found to be inadequate to maintain oral health. To assess the periodontal status of Konda reddy tribes residing in Bhadrachalam of Khammam district, India. Based on availability and accessibility the tribes were gathered using convenient sampling method. The total study population consisted of 500 subjects. Using a preformed Performa the oral hygiene practices and periodontal status was recorded using CPI index. The total study population was 500, comprising of 225 males and 275 females in the age group ranging from 20- >70 years. The mean number of sextants with healthy condition were 0.04±0.19; calculus 4.69±1.21; pockets 4-5 mm 0.91±0.91 and pockets >6mm 0.02±0.15. Poor oral hygiene and periodontal status was seen among the tribes. Under these circumstances, the implementation of a basic oral health care programme for these tribes is a high priority.

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.

Antidotes against snakebite from Ethnobotanical practices of primitive tribes of Tamilnadu

Antidotes against snakebite from Ethnobotanical practices of primitive tribes of Tamilnadu

Circulation of genotype-I hepatitis B virus in the primitive tribes of Arunachal Pradesh in early sixties and molecular evolution of genotype-I

Retrospective serologic screening of 1077 serum samples collected from the primitive tribe from north-eastern India in 1963 revealed high prevalence of HBV (15% HBsAg carrier rate) and HCV (7% anti-HCV positivity) and co-circulation of multiple HBV genotypes-A, C, D and G. Full genome sequencing classified all the G-genotype samples as genotype-I. Comparison of genotype-I-HBV full-genome sequences representing 1963 (n=5, this study) and 2005 (reported earlier) showed identical recombination break-points of genotypes-A/G/C. Genotype-C and genotype-C-fragment of I-genotype circulating in 1963 were distinctly different. The data demonstrates that the recombination events were not recent. Molecular clock analysis predicted existence of genotype-I in this tribe during 1920s.

Making subaltern shikaris: histories of the hunted in colonial central India

Academic histories of hunting or shikar in India have almost entirely focused on the sports hunting of British colonists and Indian royalty. This article attempts to balance this elite bias by focusing on the meaning of shikar in the construction of the Gond ‘tribal’ identity in late nineteenth and early twentieth-century colonial central India. Coining the term ‘subaltern shikaris’ to refer to the class of poor, rural hunters, typically ignored in this historiography, the article explores how the British managed to use hunting as a means of state penetration into central India’s forest interior, where they came to regard their Gond forest-dwelling subjects as essentially and eternally primitive hunting tribes. Subaltern shikaris were employed by elite sportsmen and were also paid to hunt in the colonial regime’s vermin eradication programme, which targeted tigers, wolves, bears and other species identified by the state as ‘dangerous beasts’. When offered economic incentives, forest dwellers usually willingly participated in new modes of hunting, even as impact on wildlife rapidly accelerated and became unsustainable. Yet as non-indigenous approaches to nature became normative, there was sometimes also resistance from Gond communities. As overkill accelerated, this led to exclusion of local peoples from natural resources, to their increasing incorporation into dominant political and economic systems, and to the eventual collapse of hunting as a livelihood. All of this raises the question: To what extent were subaltern subjects, like wildlife, ‘the hunted’ in colonial India?

Socioeconomic status, personal habits, and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the inhabitants of Lanyu

Lanyu Island is a closed environment inhabited by the Yami people, Taiwan's smallest and most primitive tribe. This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection among Lanyu Island residents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the inhabitants of Lanyu Island, using the (13)C urea breath test to determine the prevalence of H. pylori. All study participants completed a form requesting demographic data and anthropometric measurements and a questionnaire evaluating socioeconomic characteristics and personal habits. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent factors of H. pylori infections, and a two-sided p<0.05 was considered significant. Among 796 participants, the mean age was 45±13.2 years, with a range of 12-89 years. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 72.1%, and there was no significant difference between genders. The H. pylori-infected group contained higher proportions of Yami people, married individuals, as well as higher rates of alcohol consumption and betel chewing, but lower family incomes and education levels. Multiple logistic models found that Yamiethnicity [odds ratio (OR)=2.567, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.344-4.905], alcoholconsumption (OR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.151-2.341), and marital status (OR=1.779, 95% CI: 1.043-3.032] were associated with H. pylori infection. This cross-sectional study identified a high prevalence of H. pylori infection on Lanyu Island. When investigating H. pylori infection status in a closed environment, such as Lanyu Island, it is important to consider all factors relating to the host population, including environment and lifestyle.

Multidimensional poverty index of totos- The smallest and primitive tribe in jalpaiguri district of West Bengal

The Toto is one of the smallest and primitive tribe of our country. Due to isolation these people are able to preserve their primitive culture. They had settled only in a small village situated on the western bank of the river Torsha. This area located on the border area between India and Bhutan. Its distance from Jalpaiguri district town is 100 k.m. North –East and 67 km North –West from Alipurduar sub divisional town and 21 km North only from Madarihat. In the old days the Totos were exclusively dependent on the forest products. Hunting and gathering of timber, fruits and forest nuts constituted their main source of living. But in course of time they have brought changes in their style of living, since their initial sources of income gradually became harder. Later they worked as porters and carried oranges from Bhutan to the sellers of plain area for their subsistence and livelihood. Recently government has taken many steps to facilitate the living hood of Totos, primary school, high school and health centers are there in Toto para. In this paper an attempt has been taken to measure the Multi-dimensional Poverty Index of Toto community. Poverty was measured in Human Development Reports through the Human Poverty Index (HPI) from 1997–2009. In 2010, the MPI replaced the HPI. The MPI addresses the imperfections of HPI by allowing comparisons across countries or regions of the world, as well as within-country comparisons between regions, ethnic groups, rural and urban areas. The MPI reveals the combination of deprivation that strike a household at the same time. A household is considered as multidimentionally poor if it is deprived in some combination of indicators whose weight sum is 30% or more of the dimension.

Distribution of HLA-A, B and DRB1 alleles in Sahariya tribe of North Central India: An association with pulmonary tuberculosis

Sahariya, a primitive tribe, native of North Central India, is characterized by a significantly increased incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) as compared to other tribes from the same region. Host genetic factors are known to influence susceptibility to PTB at the population level. Since an association of immune regulatory genes, particularly HLA, with PTB susceptibility has already been reported in several studies, we investigated a similar association of HLA alleles with PTB pathogenesis in the Sahariya tribe. A total of 210 cases and 178 healthy individuals from Sahariya tribe were genotyped for HLA class I and II alleles using the PCR based SSP and Reverse-SSO methods. The study showed a significantly increased allelic frequency of HLA-DRB1∗15 (p=0.02) in the patients as compared to healthy controls. However, the allelic frequency of HLA-DRB1∗16 was significantly reduced in patients than in controls (p=0.01). Three locus haplotype analysis of HLA-A, B and DR revealed a significantly increased frequency of A∗24-B∗40-DRB1∗15 haplotype among patients than controls (p=0.005), while A∗02-B∗40-DRB1∗16 and A∗02-B40-DRB1∗03 (p=0.001 and 0.02, respectively) were significantly reduced in the patients. Our findings confirm a positive association of HLA-DRB1∗15 in Sahariya tribe similar to the one already shown in other Indian ethnic groups. On the other hand, HLA-A∗24-B∗40-DRB1∗15 haplotype was found to be specific to Sahariya tribe with a strong predisposition to PTB. Further, the protection offered by DRB1∗16 allele and associated haplotypes towards PTB in this tribe appears to be a novel finding that warrants further investigation with regard to resistance to PTB.

Family Planning Practices among Baiga of Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh

Tribes belong to earliest form of society at the same time they are keen to using modern techniques in their day to day life. They willingly come forward to adopt some of techniques, whereas some of the techniques are imposed on them. The present investigation was carried out among a primitive tribe of Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh known as Baiga. Findings are based on a sample of 300 women and WO male (husbands). Samples were drawn randomly so that proper representation of population and area could be ensured. It was found thai the Baiga women are quite aware regarding modern technique of contraception and sterilization. 46 per cent of the couples were found users and 54 per cent were non-users. Further, among current users 92.8 per cent adopted Tubectomy, only 4.6 per cent couples underwent vasectomy. The finding of present study shows that they hardly use spacing methods (2.8 percent). Among spacing methods only condom and oral pills are being used in equal proportion. There is insignificant difference in age of users and non-users of family planning methods, although the users are younger in age. Almost similar trend was observed in case with surviving children, the proportion of user is highest with two and three surviving child.

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.

The Distribution of A1A2BO and RH(D) Blood Groups in the Buksa — A Primitive Tribe of Uttarakhand, North India

The present paper reports original blood grouping data on the A1A2BO and RH(D) blood groups in the Buksa - a little known primitive tribal population of India inhabiting districts of Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital in Uttarakhand state located in the Central Himalayas in North India. In the three regional Buksa samples studied here the incidence of the A1 + A2 blood groups was found to be consistently higher than that of B blood group. As for the allele frequencies, compared to ABO*B, ABO*A1 frequency was noted higher in all the three Buksa groups. Infrequent allele ABO*A2 was found lacking in the sample tested from Udham Singh Nagar district but was present in the Buksa of both Dehradun and Nainital districts, albeit in low proportions. As for the RH(D) blood groups in the present Buksa material, the incidence of the RH(D)- phenotype was found very low indeed (range 1.05 - 1.83%) and RH*d allele frequency was also noted in a rather low range (0.102 - 0.136). Thus, the present serological investigation has helped in genetically characterizing the Buksa tribe inhabiting three different districts of Uttarakhand.

Education and Patterns of Marriage System: A Micro Study on the Birhors in Hazaribag District, Jharkhand

The Birhors, one of the most primitive tribes of Hazaribagh in Jharkhand states, are nomadic hunters, food gatherers and rope makers. In Jharkhand, Birhor are found in different places like Palamu, Garhwa, Singhbhum, Giridih, Lohardaga, Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and Gumla. Linguistically they belong to Astro- Asiatic Mundari group and have their own dialect.

Adolescents but not Older Women Misjudge Intelligence from Faces and Do not Consider Intelligent-Looking Men Attractive

During human evolution, finding an intelligent mate could have resulted in more high-quality offspring via better access to resources or via “good genes”. Considering that the choice of a mate is an important issue, one would expect that intelligence could be accurately judged by human observers at the beginning of sexual maturity when women of primitive tribes generally establish pair bonds. Male facial photographs and IQs were used to study how well adolescent versus older women can judge intelligence from a picture. There was no correlation between men's IQ and the perceived intelligence rankings given by female adolescent judges, nor did these judges perceive men of higher IQ as more attractive. Interestingly, however, there was a significant correlation between the measured IQ and the intelligence ranking by older female respondents. The ability to readily judge intelligence seems to be learned, or it matures later. As surprising as the inability of adolescent women to correctly evaluate intelligence...

Genetic polymorphisms of CCL2, CCL5, CCR2 and CCR5 genes in Sahariya tribe of North Central India: An association study with pulmonary tuberculosis

The association of genetic variants of chemokines, CCL2 [MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1)], CCL5 [RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted)] and their receptors CCR2 and CCR5, respectively, earlier reported to be associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in certain ethnic populations, were explored in Sahariya tribe, a primitive tribe of North Central India having a high prevalence of TB. We genotyped 215 cases and 215 controls of Sahariya tribe for polymorphisms in CCL2 (-2518A/G, -362G/C) by PCR-RFLP method and in CCR2 (V64I), CCL5 (-403G/A, -28C/G) and CCR5 (-59029G/A) by ARMS-PCR method. The frequencies of ‘AA’ genotype and ‘A’ allele of -403G/A were found significantly higher in cases than in controls (OR, 2.616 [95%CI, 1.302–5.320] and OR, 1.348 [95%CI, 0.980–1.853], respectively). Conversely, the frequencies of ‘AA’ genotype and ‘A’ allele of V64I were significantly (p=0.05 and 0.04, respectively) higher in controls than in cases. Also, the “AA” genotype of V64I was found to provide significant (p=0.05) protection against high bacillary load (3+). Likewise, the comparison of frequencies of different combinations of these polymorphisms further strengthens the association of -403G/A with susceptibility and V64I with resistance to TB in Sahariya tribe. However, no significant association of other polymorphisms with either resistance or susceptibility to TB was found. Thus, our findings support the association of -403G/A and V64I polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility and resistance to TB, respectively , alone or in combination with other polymorphisms in Sahariya tribe.

Biodiversity Register and Indigenous Knowledge: A Case Study of Baigachak Area, in Dindori District of Madhya Pradesh

Conservation of biological diversity is extremely imperative as it is essential for efficient functioning of the ecosystem which actually accounts the innumerable life forms. Local initiatives have been taken to conserve biodiversity in landscape continuum in the form of sacred groves, home gardens and other indigenous practices. The wealth of NTFP and medicinal plant life useful to people is a strong justification for their conservation. Unfortunately, this indigenous knowledge on the properties, utilization and conservation aspects of plant resources available with tribal groups is on the verge of depletion due to developmental activities which are adversely affecting the cultural and traditional life of these groups. Tribal cultures are themselves disappearing and with them go their plant lore. Studies have shown that indigenous knowledge and biodiversity are complementary phenomena and are needed to conserve biodiversity. The study aimed to develop and document the process of a Biodiversity Register for two forest villages (Dhaba and Sherajhar) in Baigachak area, in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh. The register identifies both wild and agro biodiversity elements and their indigenous knowledge. Development of management plan was a part of exercise to review local knowledge and conservation practices. Participatory Rural Appraisal tools along with conventional questionnaire methods were used to understand the biodiversity situation in their landscape covering 10 villages of Baigachak area, a comprised of Baiga, the primitive tribes of Madhya Pradesh. The study indicates that a rich biodiversity (109 floral species, 57 species of birds, 16 species of butterflies, 3 species of amphibian, 17 species of reptilian and 1 species of mammals) exists around the study area, local people's concern whereas there is a declining rate of availability for the last 15 years due to various reasons.

Anthropometric Profile and Nutritional Status of Selected Oraon Tribals in and Around Sambalpur Town, Orissa

The present study was carried out to determine anthropometric profile and nutritional status of selected Oraon tribal adults and children of Sambalpur town of Sambalpur district, Orissa. Oraon is one of the most primitive tribes of Eastern India. A total of 120 households comprising of 552 individuals (60 native and 60 migrant families) of Sambalpur District were selected purposively and interviewed through the help of a pre-tested structured scheduled for collecting the relevant information on socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Height and weight of all the members of the household were measured using standard protocol. Weight for age and height for age was calculated for assessing child nutritional status using NCHS standard of children and body mass index (BMI) was used to assess the nutritional status of adults. The study revealed that the overall socio-economic condition of migrants was good in comparison to the native counterparts. 70 % of native males, 66 % of native females, 91 % of migrant males and of 87 % migrant females were in low weight normal category. The extent of malnutrition among children was found to be high in both natives and migrants groups. In conclusion, the study provided evidence that the nutritional status of children and adult was not satisfactory. Immediate appropriate nutrition intervention programs are needed for improving their status.

Ecological status of Wild Edibles consumed by Cholanaickens, a primitive tribe of Western Ghats, India

A study was undertaken to document the ecological status of wild edibles consumed among the Cholanaickens tribe of Western Ghat in India. It was found that they consume a number of wild edible plants. It was observed that the people are less dependent on their traditional foods owing to the availability of subsidized food from the cooperative stores. A total of fifty six species of wild edible plants were documented which are consumed by the Cholanaickens. Among those species, twenty four species were leafy vegetables, followed by twelve fruit yielding species, nine species, which produce edible seeds, and eleven species producing tubers and rhizomes. The phytosociological study showed that only thirteen species of edible plants are available at present in the study area. It was also found that regeneration of most of the tuber species is not taking place probably because of higher exploitation in the previous period.

АКТЫ САМОПОВРЕЖДЕНИЯ В РИТУАЛЬНЫХ ПРАКТИКАХ

The article discusses the motives and functions of self-injurious acts in ritual practices of primitive tribes, religious rituals and modern practices of body modification.

Genetic diversity of hemoglobinopathies, G6PD deficiency, and ABO and Rhesus blood groups in two isolates of a primitive Kharia Tribe in Sundargarh District of Northwestern Orissa, India

Tribal communities constitute about 8.2% of the total population of India. Their health needs are even larger than elsewhere in India; this study investigates the genetic diversity in relation to hemoglobinopathies, G6PD deficiency and, ABO and Rhesus (D) blood groups in two sects, i.e. Dudh (converted Christian) and Dhelki (Hinduised) Kharia, a primitive tribe in Sundargarh district of Orissa in Central-Eastern India. A randomized screening of 767 Kharia tribals (377 males and 390 females) belonging to all age groups and both sexes was done. Laboratory analysis was carried out following the standard methodology and techniques. Contrasting differences were observed in the frequency of hematological genetic disorders such as β-thalassemia, sickle cell, hemoglobin E, G6PD deficiency, ABO and Rhesus (D) blood groups between the two subgroups. Dudh Kharia had no hemoglobin variant allele other than the high prevalence of β-thalassemia trait (8.1%), whereas, their counterpart Dhelki Kharia had the high prevalence of sickle cell allele (12.4%), hemoglobin E allele (3.2%), and β-thalassemia allele (4.0%). Frequency distribution of hemoglobin variants between Dudh and Dhelki Kharia tribe was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). High G6PD deficiency was detected 19.2% and 30.7% in Dudh Kharia and Dhelki Kharia, respectively (p < 0.001), the average being 24.4% in Kharia tribe. Kharia tribes show a trend for replacement of sickle cell gene with G6PD-deficiency gene as the clinical manifestations of G6PD deficiency are mild (do not result in a complete loss of enzyme activity) against the sickle cell disease with high morbidity and mortality. Rhesus (D)-negative blood group was 1.1% in Dudh Kharia and absent in Dhelki Kharia (p < 0.05). This study showed genetic isolation of the two sects of Kharia tribe. Antimalarial drugs administration needs to be done with caution. Hematological disorders pose a major health challenge having multifaceted implications in public health genetics.

Pulmonary tuberculosis: a public health problem amongst the Saharia, a primitive tribe of Madhya Pradesh, Central India

To estimate the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease amongst the Saharia, a 'primitive' tribe of Madhya Pradesh, Central India. A community-based cross-sectional TB prevalence survey was undertaken in the Saharia, a 'primitive' tribal community of Madhya Pradesh. A representative random sample of villages predominated by tribal populations was chosen from the selected block of Sheopur District. All eligible individuals were screened for chest symptoms related to TB. Sputum samples were collected from all eligible individuals, transported to the laboratory, and examined by Ziehl-Neelsen smear microscopy and solid media culture methods. Of the 11,468 individuals eligible for screening, 11,116 (96.9%) were screened for symptoms. The overall prevalence of pulmonary TB disease was 1518 per 100,000 population. Prevalence increased with age and the trend was statistically significant (p<0.001). The prevalence of pulmonary TB was also significantly higher in males (2156/100,000) than females (933/100,000) (p<0.001). The findings suggest that TB disease remains a major public health problem in the Saharia 'primitive' tribal community of Madhya Pradesh, Central India.