Traditional Occupations Research Articles

Inter-Generational Occupational and Socio-Economic Pattern of Bhutias in Sikkim: Case Study of Lachung, Tashiding and Tathangchen

The paper discusses the inter-generational occupational and socio-economic pattern of Bhutias in Sikkim. Case studies of certain Bhutia families were conducted as an oral source for understanding their present status, changing lifestyle and their self perception about the present status. Bhutia families from three Bhutia dominated villages Lachung, Tashiding and Tathangchen in Sikkim were interviewed. The findings reveal that transformations and diversification in the occupational pattern among the Bhutia families in Sikkim has taken place. Agriculture as their traditional occupation has declined as they are pursuing other alternative occupations. The case study shows that the number of Bhutia agricultural households, both as agriculturist and agricultural labour has declined, but they continue as owners of large land plots. The study sheds light on the occupational shift from traditional occupations to business and trade, tourism, and salaried jobs over the years and generations.

An Examination of the Decision of Microentrepreneurs to Remain in Urban Flood-prone Areas in Marikina City, Metro Manila (NCR), Philippines

Despite the impact of urban flooding on businesses, the choice of microentrepreneurs continuing to stay in flood hazard areas runs counterintuitive to the principles of profitability and sustainability albeit both are the most vulnerable aspects of the business sectors. Existing literature has provided substantial knowledge on the factors affecting an entrepreneur’s choice of operating location but does not go deeper into why entrepreneurs decide to remain and operate in frequently flooded urban areas. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used in this study to establish an adequate representation of microentrepreneurs in flood-prone areas of Marikina City in Metro Manila, Philippines, using various statistical tools to evaluate decision factors. The research revealed that component factors such as economic considerations, the microentrepreneur’s socio-spatial relations, and experiences and perception of resilience influence the decision to remain in urban flood-prone areas. Moreover, specific sub-factors under each component factor were identified, which can be grouped into ‘pre-existing’ and ‘learned’ categories, introducing a new location decision model attuned to the dynamics that exists between microentrepreneurs and a natural disaster such as urban flooding. The findings of the study may guide policymakers and urban planners in designing targeted intervention measures that translate to more micro enterprise-responsive disaster risk reduction and management plans. Moreover, by treating microenterprises as separate from the traditional occupations, communities might appreciate the crafting of local land use plans which would successfully improve the overall resilience of this sector in urban flood-prone areas.

Sustainable practices in traditional jobs of Kerala: A contextual analysis

Kerala boasts a remarkable heritage of traditional occupations that thrived in the previous century. These vocations encompassed a range of fields, from working with coir, handicrafts, gold smithery, black smithery, to ayurvedic practices, and beyond. The present study seeks to comprehend the sustainable prospects of these age-old crafts within the state of Kerala. To achieve this end, a secondary analysis was conducted between 2010 and 2023, drawing from fifteen relevant articles subjected to contextual scrutiny. The findings of this research indicate that socio-economic factors exert a significant, adverse effect on the sustainability of traditional occupations. In addition, the integration of technological advancements has also played a role in this development. The promotion of sustainable practices entails the consideration of other factors such as dearth of youth participation in traditional jobs, scarcity of resources, urbanization, industrialization and advent of modern technology,. As such, a holistic and systematic approach can help to empower traditional occupations within Kerala.

Pattern of occupational shift among Malabar migrants: a case study of Kallar grama panchayath in Kerala

The impact of the migration on the economy of Kerala in general and of Malabar in particular needs special mention. Large scale production of commercial crops like rubber, ginger, pepper, arecanut and coconut, advanced methods of cultivation and the introduction of new agricultural crops are some of the aspects to be highlighted. Migration to Malabar turned out to be a mass movement, as migration of half a million people took place without any design, organisation or leadership. Famine was a driving force behind large scale migration. Land prices were very low as compared with Travancore. The increasing tendency of cultivation of commercial crops helped the migration. It is a form of agriculture to agriculture migration, anticipating a long run improvement and can be perceived as a human capital decision. This often leads to change of traditional occupation to other and substantial socio economic development. The immigrant people change their occupation from agriculture or agricultural labour to industrial labour or some other jobs. The present study focuses the changes that take place in the occupational pattern of the Malabar migrants in Kallar Grama Panchayath in Kasaragod district of Kerala

Fulani herder-farmer identity conflict in West Africa with a particular focus on security implications for Nigeria

ABSTRACT In recent years, the Nigerian populace has been affected by the menace of Fulani herder-farmer clashes. Conflict between Fulani herder and farmers which poses far reaching consequences in almost all geopolitical zones of the country has been attributed to weak security institutions and architecture, vast ungoverned spaces, ethnic cleansing tendencies, illegal migration, the search for pastures to mitigate adverse effect of global warming and climate change. While existing arguments on the causes and implications of Fulani herder and farmers remain valid, I contend, using the conceptual-theoretical nexus framework and drawing from secondary source of data that dealing with these factors are exiguous without dealing with the root cause (identity conflict) of the menace. The study argues that the psycho-social disposition, beliefs and stereotypes instigate Fulani herder-farmer clashes to the extent of threatening Nigeria’s nationhood. The study also affirms that the phenomenon of identity conflict is a long-term neglected social issue of discrimination and structural exclusion of the Fulani group from benefiting from the commonwealth of natural resources based on the locomotive nature of their traditional occupation. It is therefore concluded that identity conflict though the root cause of the Fulani herder-farmer conflicts is more for economic survival than ethnic affiliation.

Jargon in a Discourse Community: An Example in Òfì/Aṣọ Òkè Weaving Profession

This study is the first phase of an ongoing research study that aims to document the processes of making òfì or aṣọ òkè (handloom woven fabrics of the Yoruba) and compile a dictionary of the terms and terminology associated with this traditional occupation of cloth weaving. The data for the study were collected through the master-apprentice model, participant observation, and interviews. The theory adopted for this study is institutional talk, a sociolinguistic approach to the description of the language of a particular group of people who share a communication style or vocabulary. Aṣọ òkè weavers are portrayed as a discourse community and their jargon is categorized into some lexico-semantic classification.

ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENT DATA FROM GPS-MONITORED LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS (LGDS) AT TWO SHEEPFOLDS IN THE NORTH-WESTERN MARAMURES LAND, ROMANIA USING THE KERNEL DENSITY ESTIMATION METHOD. IMPLICATIONS FOR OUTDOOR TOURISM

The Carpathians and other mountainous regions around the world are renowned for their specific landscapes shaped by pastoralism, a millennia-old traditional and sustainable economic system. In Romania, this traditional occupation has an established place within the Romanian culture. In an environment where large predators are present, the livestock owners and shepherds have traditionally relied, and still do, on livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) to protect the flock against carnivores or theft, therefore, the dogs are perceived as an integral component of the traditional pastoral system. However, from late April until the end of September, many outdoor recreational activities like hiking, mountain trail running, or biking overlap with the pastoral calendar, creating a potential for conflict between two, very different categories of landscape users, with recurring incidents happening over the years. In this study, a winter GPS monitoring campaign was proposed, between November 2023 and January 2024 that used GPS professional collars to track the movements of two livestock guardian dogs stationed at two sheepfolds located at their winter bases in the hills at the foot of Ignis Mountains (part of the Romanian northern Carpathians) from northwestern Maramureș Land, Romania. The campaign generated point-based spatiotemporal data processed and analyzed in M. Excel and QGIS using Kernel density estimation as the main method to generate metrics and identify potential clusters of LGD activity in their usual environment. The results highlight high observational clusters near the winter folds but also lower observational clusters in areas situated hundreds of meters distance around the main compound, in certain locations. Although temporally limited, the results have the potential to help the understanding of the animal's preferred zone of habitation and substantiate future win-win cohabitation solutions that minimize conflictual encounters between the shepherds and their guardian dogs on one side, as primary land users, and outdoor recreationists as other landscape users.

A Study on the Role of the ODOP (One District, One Product) Scheme on Strengthening the Metal Craft Industry in Moradabad Region, Uttar Pradesh

The foundation of Uttar Pradesh’s industrial operations and economic development is its traditional occupation, geographic culture and unique products. Products that are unique to a given area play a vital role in the growth of any nation, state or region. The One District, One Product (ODOP) programme, which is being used in Uttar Pradesh, has given the state’s small businesses a new name. In the Moradabad region of Uttar Pradesh, a metal craft enterprise has been chosen under this model to enhance the production capacity, business opportunities and start-up optimisation. This particular product is essential to the state economy’s continued survival. By sponsoring investor exhibits, district fairs and mega craft clusters, which directly affect production, the state government promotes the productivity of metal crafts, creating a new vision for metal products and new opportunities for local and regional companies to gain worldwide prominence through this programme. The researchers of this study conducted a pilot study and primary survey based on the demographic profile of the Moradabad region of Uttar Pradesh to examine the increase in production capacity and its component under the ODOP scheme. The findings of this study indicate that all efforts to strengthen the local metal craft clusters and units through state government initiatives such as investor summits, exhibitions and district fairs under the ODOP scheme prove to be right for the success of productivity. The uniqueness of this research article serves as a living example for other states or countries to successfully implement the ODOP programme, which is a transformative step towards realising the true potential of the metal craft industry. The state government’s strategy like the ODOP scheme can serve as a bridge to strengthen and improve the local specified products like metal crafts by solving the barriers of productivity disparities and geographical product identity imbalances.

Nomadic Roots and Contemporary Realities: An Exploration of the Waghri Community in Punjab

Nomadism persists as a relevant phenomenon in contemporary society. This study delves into the Waghri community, a nomadic community that originally hails from Gujarat but settled in Punjab for the past three or four generations. Having encountered stigmatisation during the British rule, the community was labelled a criminal tribe in the Bombay Presidency. This study aimed to understand the culture, belief and practice dynamics of the Waghri community, shaped by their nomadic history and current circumstances. Furthermore, it seeks to delve into their experiences with historical stigmatisation, contemporary adaptation strategies and the cultural forces moulding their identity and means of sustenance. This study was carried out in the urban areas of Punjab under the national project of the Anthropological Survey of India entitled Ethnographic Study of 226 De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities. The data were collected using snowball and random sampling methods. The tools used for data collection included a structured schedule, focus group discussions and individual interviews. The findings of the study reveal that the migration of the Waghri community, driven by the pursuit of enhanced livelihoods, has resulted in a widespread presence across India, featuring various sub-castes distinguished by traditional occupations and territorial affiliations. Remarkably, these sub-castes lack social hierarchies, uniting around their common clan deity rather than fostering internal divisions. Devotees of the goddess Durga, the community now identifies as Devipujak. Engaged in the trade of recycling second-hand clothes, they have established harmonious ties with the neighbouring communities, predominantly residing in urban areas, as their livelihood depends on middle and upper-middle-class families. Despite facing stigma in their native Gujarat, the Waghri community finds acceptance in Punjab, where they are recognised more as Gujarati than Waghri. Economically disadvantaged and educationally marginalised, the community leads a precarious existence unaccounted for by the government. This study illuminates their resilience in preserving cultural traditions amidst uncertainties about their future. Their adaptation strategies, including social cohesion and niche economic activity, offer insights into social mobility, identity negotiation, and the complex realities of marginalised communities in India.

Occupational Impact on The Rights of the Children of Manual Scavengers: A Critical Analysis

Objective: The Children of Manual Scavengers suffer socio-legal exclusion based on their traditional occupation of manually remove human excreta. As it is inhuman practice enforced by the caste system they are stigmatized as socially untouchable, economically disadvantaged, and legally neglected. Moreover it leads to continuous human rights violations. The aim of this study is to examine the occupational impact on the rights of children of manual scavengers and critically analyse the legislative protection and judicial consciousness on the empowerment and protection of these children’s rights. Methods: The legal research as it aims to analyse the legislative provisions, precedents along with legal principles and programs this research is a type of normative legal research. Results and Conclusion: Despite the Constitutional protection of child rights, the children of manual scavengers suffer on the violation of their right as right to education, wellbeing, social inclusion and protection against child. The legislative protection on child rights and judicial activism on the empowerment of child rights are not positively effected in the life of the children of manual scavengers against the occupational impact. Therefore it is imperative to have special legislative measures along with executive mechanism to effectively enforce and special judicial care in protecting and promoting the rights of these children whose rights are violated due to the occupation of manual scavenging as traditional and caste forced work. Research implications: The research highlights that the traditional occupation of manually removing the human excreta as caste forced occupation impacts in the violation of child rights in the entire facet.

Manual Scavenging at Early Age: a Critical Analysis from the Perspective of Children of Manual Scavengers as Child Labour

Objective: The Children of Manual Scavengers' suffer the socio-legal marginalisation as daily reality. They are legally abandoned, monetarily impoverished, and socially tainted. Due to the caste system, they are compelled to take up their parents' traditional occupation of manually removing human excreta. The hidden reality causes children of manual scavengers to live in constant agony. The aim of this study is to examine the legislative actions and judicial activism to uphold their human dignity and equality throughout their lives and prohibiting manual scavenging. Methods: The research is a type of doctrinal research. It is normative legal research based on analyzing the legal measures, case laws and principles. Results and Conclusion: The children of manual scavengers enter into the traditional occupation of manual scavenging along with their parents as caste forced occupation and suffer the child labour. Moreover, the legislative measures on protection of child rights have not affected in their life. Research Implications: The research highlights that the children of manual scavengers who are engaged in manual scavenging at their early age suffer the deprivation of human rights and dignity.

Situating the Self within the Changing Societal Dynamics- a Perspective of the Nat in India

ABSTRACT India is home to a wide range of ethnic groups. Each group has unique characteristics. The Nat, for instance, is a nomadic tribe and is known for its specialized acrobatic and musical skills. The associated traditional occupations, however, have proved restrictive to the socio-economic mobility of the tribe. This study, therefore, is an attempt to develop an understanding of the ways in which the Nat situate themselves within the changing social dynamics by addressing the following questions: How do members of the Nat community evolve in response to changing societal dynamics? Has the change been restrictive to the tribe’s social and economic mobility? In order to find answers to these questions 31 case studies were conducted of the Nat from four states in India who had gathered at a famous fair organized annually in Chhattisgarh state. Analysis of the data collected followed Wolcott’s and Biggam’s iterative approach to the description and interpretation of the field notes and case studies. The findings of the study suggest that in order to survive, the Nat community has significantly assimilated with mainstream society by adopting social differentiation based on caste and religion. Instead of reaping positive results, this process has proved detrimental to the socio-economic situation of the Nat. While other communities reap the benefits of the developmental processes, the Nat nomadic tribe continues to be stigmatized and marginalized. Social and economic mobility is significantly lacking and the few measures taken for their welfare have not improved their situation. Efforts from both the researchers and the major stakeholders are indispensable so that relevant policy measures may be introduced for their welfare.

Analysing the Impact of Industrial Revolution 4.0 on Traditional Occupations and Community Adaptation Efforts in Bali

This research investigates the impact of Industrial Revolution 4.0 on traditional occupations in Bali, employing a quantitative approach with Structural Equation Modeling and Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) analysis. A diverse sample of 250 individuals engaged in agriculture, crafts, and tourism provides insights into the multifaceted nature of Bali's traditional job sectors. The measurement model assessment confirms the reliability and validity of latent variables, including technological adoption, changes in employment patterns, income levels, and community adaptation efforts. The structural model analysis reveals a positive influence of technological adoption on changes in employment patterns and income levels, indicating transformative opportunities within traditional occupations. However, challenges arise in maintaining income equity amidst shifts in employment patterns. The study also highlights the proactive response of communities, with technological adoption positively correlating with effective adaptation efforts. The model fit and sensitivity analysis affirm the robustness of the findings. This research contributes nuanced insights for policymakers and community leaders navigating the intersection of tradition and technological progress in Bali's evolving socio-economic landscape.

Nazarin Wasu Waibuwar Masunta

Fishing has long been a revered traditional occupation within Hausa society, dating back to ancient times. This paper, titled "The Fishermen's Magic and Wonders," aims to analyze the magical and extraordinary practices exhibited by fishermen in Hausa society during traditional ceremonies, special occasions, or in times of dire predicament. Given the inherent risks and dangers associated with fishing, fishermen have historically sought precautions and protections against the hazards they encounter in rivers. This necessity has rendered them deeply knowledgeable and vigilant in all activities related to water. Additionally, they offer specialized treatments or remedies to individuals afflicted by waterborne diseases or injuries sustained from encounters with dangerous aquatic animals.

A Study of Pinjara Community Women’s Livelihood Struggle During Pandemic in Karnataka State with Special Reference to Kittur Karnataka Region

Pinjara community has century’s history. 500 years ago the Pinjara community received the Islam religion in the administration of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. After accepting Islam, they made clinging and weaving as their profession. From ever since, they have been growing cotton and opting weaving profession that produces cotton and are recognized as professionals. Pinjara women work equally to the man in the family. The women also has a place for heritage division of work. The role of Pinjara girls/women is important in the process of traditional occupation that men and women share. Women do almost all of the things men do, and women's partnership is also involved in market affairs. Though they are illiterate persons they have the business knowledge. She can buy cotton, Make cotton bed, pillow, blanket and sell. The woman has the opportunity to keep the money earned from the sale for herself and spend also. Pinjara women engage themselves in agricultural activities in rural areas, leaving heritage career. They suffered to survive in COVID-19. They will eat when they earn it, but they will not survive if they do not work. They suffered greatly during the pandemic. This article concentrate on shows the Pinjara Ladies' endurance battle in Pandemic.

Meaning of small grains cultivation as a traditional occupation in Japan

ABSTRACT Traditional occupations hold important meanings, as they have been passed down from generation to generation. However, many occupations are endangered due to shifting practices and standards associated with globalization. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of the traditional occupation of small grains cultivation in Japan, which has been integral to farming in the region for over 2,800 years. Ethnography and community-engaged research were used to conduct this study in three locations in Japan: Karumai Town and Towa Town in Iwate Prefecture, and Shiiba Village in Miyazaki Prefecture. Across the 10 participants, 29 meanings were identified and clustered under 6 themes: Culture/Ancestral practice, Sustainable way of life, Nurturing the soul, Health and well-being, Eating experience, and The legacy of sharing and collaboration. Among the participants, we found understandings that small grains cultivation contributes to social issues, such as food security and the health of the land through refined practice, while also contributing to the well-being of the cultivators by providing nutritious food and nurturing their souls. Generational differences between cultivators were also identified. Younger generations who migrated from cities to villages are re-casting the popular negative perception of small grains cultivation, finding richness and enjoyment in practices, while older generations consider it a labor-intensive practice associated with poor people. The meanings of small grains cultivation, particularly the relationship of the human experience to the natural environment, shed light on the richness of engaging in such occupations; insights that are typically neglected in the modern societies of the 21st century.

Occupational Shift among Dalits

This paper examines how caste relations are affecting conventional caste-based artisan occupations at present changing scenario of Nepali society. Its focus has been to examine how changes in livelihoods have affected the traditional occupational status of Dalits in semi-rural parts of the Kaski district. Relationship between Dalit and non-Dalit families, traditional artisan and occupations have been an integral part of Nepalese society and culture. They have bound Nepali families together based on their livelihoods. Patron-client relationships between Dalits and non-Dalits, on the other hand, were based on an unequal relationship. This relationship is labeled “unequal” because the people belonging to the Dalit community have been discriminated all life in social practices while having a no way out to escape from the clutches of the cashless peasantry and artisan occupations of the 'Balighare and Hali pratha' while lagging behind in land ownership. Sewing, Ploughing, and Blacksmithery, works based on birth were common. This form of patron-client relationship where the upper castes exploitatively extracted more from what the Dalits had to offer is best termed as an “unequal relationship”. For the purpose of this qualitative research, on-site interviews were arranged with the sixty members from the Dalit households, as per the consent and availability of the participating families. All of them had a history of working the traditionally assigned artisan occupations, while some of them still continued doing so. Most respondents have terminated 'bali pratha' which was based on patron-client relationships between Dalits and non-Dalit families. The young generation shows indifference to the forefather's occupation. Different factors, like the market-based production system and migration trends and the influences of urbanization encourage them to change their traditional occupations. Large numbers of Dalits are now employed in non-agricultural areas for a living. Similarly, livelihood diversification is helping weaken the caste-based occupation in the study area.

Dalits in the Past and Present: Experiences of Chamars from Nepal Tarai

This paper is about the caste system, status of one of the Dalit community (Chamar) and the change taking place in such community over the period of time. Caste system is the division of people based on occupational diversity which is unique feature of Hindu society.
 According Hindu varna system, society is hierarchically divided as Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra. In this hierarchy, Dalits were kept at the bottom with duty as labourers and service providers. Belonging to Shudra varna they were discriminated in the name of so called untouchable caste. The results of untouchability were manifested in various areas of social practice including work and wage. It made Dalits to at the margin of the society. Later on the provision of punishment if any case of untouchability was found in practice was made. Even after the implementation of legal provision that considers discriminatory or untouchable practices against Dalits as illegal activities there is still the practice of untouchability. Till the date most of Dalits including Chamars in Tarai are engaged in age-old traditional occupation or manual works.
 Based on the previous literatures and few narratives collected through interviews this paper argues that the status of Chamar, one of the Dalit communities of Tarai was facing various problems including untouchability in the past and even today they are experiencing problems of various kinds including untouchability. However, social and cultural movement of Dalits in eastern Tarai of Nepal is a struggle for changing status of Dalits including Chamars.

THE PLUM BRANDY FROM OAȘ LAND SYMBOL OF IDENTITY AND OF LOCAL SPECIFICITY

The plum brandy from Oaș Land is an identitary, specific element, deeply rooted into geographical romanian realities. With its origins long lost in past time, the craft and art of obtaining the plum brandy are nowadays in danger to be lost against the background of socio-economic changes specific to globalization. In this context, the purpose of the present study is to highlight and briefly describe a traditional occupation (plum tree cultivation and obtaining plum brandy) that has endured and survived over time. The obtained results highlighted the main aspects regarding the culture of plums and the craft of obtaining traditional style plum brandy, in Gherța Mică Commune, Romania.

Indigenous Rodhi Culture of Gurung and Factors of its Transform at Ghandruk Kaski in Nepal

The Rodhi, a traditional cultural practice in Nepal, has lost its native form in recent years. It was popular in the Gurung community in Ghandruk, however, it is being transformed into a modern form popular in restaurants. This decline in native Rodhi is attributed to factors such as globalization, modern entertainment tools, and the shift from agriculture and animal rearing to films and dance bars. The study used qualitative data collection methods and an ethnographic study to analyze the changes in Rodhi culture. Twenty-seven participants were selected for the study, and data was collected through interviews, observations, narratives, discussions, and case studies. The findings revealed that modern entertainment tools, such as films, dance bars, Hindi and English films, hybrid music, and contemporary songs, have diverted the audience and participants from Rodhi's originality to youths. Globalization has led to cultural assimilation, with Gurungs being enlisted in services in Singapore police, Brunei reserve troops, French, British, and Indian armies have less prioritized Rodhi. Globalization encourages immigration, contemporary communication, mass media, overseas employment, cultural assimilation, and shifting traditional occupations. Cultural assimilation due to globalization confined Rodhi to nightclubs, affecting the traditional language and Rodhi culture among the Gurung community of Ghandruk. Cultural assimilation and socio-cultural effects contribute to the declination of traditional knowledge, local culture, and cultural identities like Rodhi. This study has implications for the preservation and promotion of traditional culture, benefiting cultural practitioners, activists, academicians, future researchers, and policymakers.