Tribal People Research Articles

A Study on the Role of Women in Garo Tribal Society

Women are the main ornaments of a society. The place of men in society is the same place as that of a woman. In a society where there is equal rights between women and men, we can call it a healthy society. Women provide the fulfillment for the creation of a society. Therefore, the tribal people have always given high status to women. The Garos are one of the various tribes living in North East India where the role of women is advanced in all aspects. Therefore, the Garos are called the matriarchal tribe. The Garo women play a special role in managing everything from raising the family to managing everything. Our research will try to discuss the role of women in the life of the garo society.

Assessing Compliance with Indigenous Self-Determination Standards: A Comparative Analysis of Chile, Colombia, and Mexico

Recent advancements have been observed in the global legal framework, particularly in the recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights, among which the right to self-determination stands out. This right encompasses the ability to define their political status and to pursue economic, social, and cultural development autonomously. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has identified six criteria to evaluate adherence to these rights. This study aims to assess the progress made by Chile, Colombia, and Mexico in meeting these criteria. Employing a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and exploratory research design, the study utilized a questionnaire based on a Likert scale to gather data from residents of Indigenous communities within the three countries under consideration to measure the perception that these individuals have regarding the compliance with the six standards of the IACHR, and specific questions have been designed based on the content of each standard. Once the degree of self-determination is understood, a multivariate analysis technique (Principal Component Analysis) will be used to compare the level of progress by country. The data collection instruments were applied in 2023 (September/November), with the results processed and the final report drafted in early 2024. Findings suggest that the criterion most adequately met is that of cultural identity and non-discrimination, whereas the criterion pertaining to the right to prior, free, and informed consultation and consent is the least fulfilled. Through principal component analysis, it was noted that Colombia exhibits a higher level of compliance with the right to self-determination, followed by Mexico, with Chile demonstrating a divergence and lagging in progress. The study concludes that a significant challenge for these countries lies in continuing efforts to effectively meet these standards and ensure the right to self-determination for Indigenous and tribal peoples.

EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS AND NEEDS OF TRIBAL STUDENTS AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL IN ALIPURDUAR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

India is home to over 84.4 million tribal people, or Adivasis, who represent some of the country's poorest communities, still reliant on traditional practices such as hunting, agriculture, and fishing, with distinct cultures, languages, and lifestyles. In West Bengal's Alipurduar District, over 80% of the population belongs to ethnic tribes. This study investigates the educational problems and needs of secondary-level tribal students in Alipurduar, focusing on gender differences. A survey of 60 students was conducted using the standardized "Educational Problems Questionnaire" and a self-developed "Educational Needs Questionnaire." The findings revealed that 51% of students face challenges in teaching methods, 54% in the social and educational environment, 56% in organizational and administrative issues, and 59% due to cultural and historical factors. Additionally, 48% of respondents expressed educational needs related to school education, 55% expressed societal support, and 44% expressed family involvement. These results underscore the importance of addressing the specific educational challenges faced by tribal students to promote equitable learning outcomes.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0710/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Review of ethnomedicinal plant Helicteres isora Linn. and its traditional uses in India

This paper provides information on the ethnomedicinal and traditional uses of the medicinal plant Helicteres isora. Ethnomedicine has been used as a starting point in drug discovery, specifically pharmacological techniques. India has a rich tradition of plant-based knowledge of health care. A large number of plants, plant extracts, decoctions, and pastes are mostly used by tribal peoples for the treatment of various diseases. The uses of different plant parts by the local peoples in different aspects have been studied by several workers. The whole plant of Helicteres isora has excellent medicinal properties from ancient times. The parts of a plant that have been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine include roots, leaves, seeds, and fruits. Different types of pharmacological activities found are antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-diarrheal, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, brain oxidant potency, etc. Helicteres isora is a rich source of antioxidants, carbohydrates, proteins, Fiber, phosphorus, calcium, and iron. The plant also exhibits the activity of demulcent and astringent activities. Every part of the medicinal uses of Helicteres isora Linn., having the above activities. In this study, we investigated the traditional uses of Helicteres isora plants. Ethnomedicinal data were collected by using semi-structured and open- ended questionnaires. Field excursions with expert lecturers and traditional healers were carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to present data.

A Review of the Indigenous Medicinal Plants Used by Scheduled Tribe Communities of North-East India

Background: North-eastern India is renowned for its rich bio-diversity of indigenous medicinal plants and its therapeutic properties. The tribal communities and ethnic groups residing in this region genuinely depend on the indigenous systems of medicine. They have extensive knowledge and comprehension of plants, both conventional and non-conventional, for their food and medicine, and they practice their own traditional healthcare system. Objectives:This study aims to give a systematic overview of traditional medicinal plants along with their properties used by the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities of north-eastern region and their potential for upliftment of the socio economic status of the community. Methods: The data were collected from published paper through electronic databases viz, Google scholar, PubMed, Science Direct based on traditional medicinal plants used by the ethnic groups. Results: In this study, 236 medicinal plants were summarized with their medicinal properties used by the Scheduled Tribe people of northeastern region. Conclusion: This study provides the information on therapeutic plants which will be a valuable resource for creating an action plan and development for the herbal drug sector, with the goal of enhancing and boosting the state's economy and quality of life.

Association of Abdominal Obesity and Diabetes among the Adult Tribal Population in Tamil Nadu

Background: Previously overweight and obesity are considered to be an issue of high-income countries but now increasingly becoming more prevalent in low-income and middle-income countries. Obesity and overweight are growing health issues in India. It is important to determine the quantum of the risk contribution by individual risk factor siuch as abdominal obesity. Aims: To find out the association of abdominal obesity and diabetes among the adult tribal population. Methods and Material: A cross-sectional study was conducted using multi-stage random sampling techniques. Using a pretested validated modified Stepwise questionnaire, a detailed interview with the participants aged above 30 years were performed. Random blood sugar and anthropometric parameters were estimated for all the participants. Chi-square test and multivariate regression analysis were used to study association. Results: Prevalence of abdominal obesity was 49.6% [211] among the study participants. Prevalence of diabetes was 7.8% [33] among the study population and 92.2% [392] of them were nondiabetic. Normal WHR was seen among 27.3% [9] of the diabetic individuals. High WHR was seen among 72.7% [24] of diabetic individuals. Gender, Illiterate, BMI, and waist-hip ratio shows significant association with diabetes. Conclusions: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was higher in the study population. As this burden among tribal people is on the increasing trend when compared with other general populations, effective strategies to prevent this have to be devised among the tribal population.

Burden and Pattern of Infectious Diseases among Tribal and Non-Tribal Peoples of North Bengal, India

Burden and Pattern of Infectious Diseases among Tribal and Non-Tribal Peoples of North Bengal, India

THE IMPACT OF MGNREGA ON TRIBAL POPULATION: A CASE STUDY OF JALPAIGURI DISTRICT IN WEST BENGAL

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was passed in 2005 and went into effect on February 2, 2006, covering 200 districts across India. Later on, this scheme was renamed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2009.This act was passed to improve the stability of rural livelihoods by offering every household whose adult members agreed to perform unskilled manual labour 100 days of guaranteed pay employment in each financial year.The Ministry of Rural Development implements this scheme in partnership with state governments. The local governance bodies, such as Panchayati Raj Institutions, play an important role in the project development and implementation ofthis scheme in rural India. MGNREGS programs include water conservation, drought mitigation, land development, rural connection, and other rural infrastructure-building initiativeschosen according to local requirements and priorities.We selected the Jalpaiguri district for our study because it has several problems such as seasonal lockouts of tea plantations, shuttered tea gardens, unemployed laborers in isolated and closed forest villages, no heavy industry since independence, etc. In this paper we attempt to find out whether the implementation of the MGNREGA program in the Jalpaiguri district has improved the livelihood of the Tribal Population in the district and also how effective this program is in dealing with the unemployment problem among the ST population in the district.This study is based on both primary and secondary data from two blocks of Jalpaiguri district i.e. Mal and Nagrakata blockscovering the period 2017-18 to 2022-23. And from each block, I have chosen the two most populace GPs within the blocks.Although the MGNREGS is a good program for reducing rural poverty and unemployment, our primary survey reveals inadequate results in terms of job creation for tribal peoples and those living in the remote tea garden areas within the district. Furthermore, this scheme does not improve Scheduled Tribes (STs) standard of living by providing jobs and promoting their participation in village affairs, hence it is less effective as the participation of ST workers against active workers currently stands at only 12.86 percent.

Malnutrition in tribal people living with tuberculosis in India: A systematic review & meta-analysis.

Background & objectives Tuberculosis (TB) remains a persistent public health challenge in India. The country also has high proportions of malnutrition in different areas, making the population susceptible to TB. Among vulnerable populations, such as tribal communities, TB and malnutrition pose significant threats. Tribal populations exhibit disproportionately higher TB prevalence rates compared to non-tribal groups. Also, malnutrition prevalence among tribal communities far exceeds national averages in India. Amidst fragmented data, a systematic review of nutritional status among tribal populations with TB in India is imperative to inform comprehensive intervention strategies. Methods Cross-sectional, case-control, cohort and interventional studies reporting the nutritional status of active TB affected individuals among tribal populations in India were specifically included if terms such as "malnutrition" or "low BMI" were used. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020168328). The data was assessed using a random-effects model and standardized mean with 95% confidence interval (CI). The I2 statistics indicated heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots. Results Out of 124 studies, 20 were selected for initial screening, 15 were excluded due to a lack of appropriate data, and five were included for the final analysis. The pooled prevalence estimates of malnutrition among Indian tribes living with TB was 514 per 1000 people, with 95% CI: 232-791. The sensitivity analysis showed that no individual study influenced the estimation of pooled prevalence. Interpretation & conclusions In the background of India, contributing considerably to the burden of TB-related morbidity and mortality alongside undernutrition, reviews have underscored undernutrition as the predominant risk factor for TB, affecting over 50 per cent of the population in some States. This situation is exacerbated among the tribal communities in India due to the dual burdens of undernutrition and TB being more pronounced. Our systematic review consolidates evidence from five studies, revealing the prevalence of malnutrition among tribal TB patients. Conducting well-planned implementation research to address this dual burden among the underprivileged population would help achieve the ambitious goal of a TB-free India 2025.

Disavowing history

If the secession of formerly colonized countries from large imperial units is a story of political hope, the central actors in Quinn Slobodian’s story perceive the opportunities provided by the proliferation of new jurisdictions following decolonization very differently. According to the “market radicals” of the late 20th and 21st centuries, the break-up of empire is not a story of the potential for the democratization of politics and history-writing. Their ideas do however offer critiques of modernity. In this commentary, I convene critics of modernity – anticolonial leaders, historians of decolonization and the aftermath of empire, Indigenous and tribal peoples and their historians, and decolonial thinkers – in conversation with the capitalist adventurers of Slobodian’s tale, via an exploration of the limits and possibilities of history-writing and the politics of historicist discourse.

Physical and Mental Health Status of Tribal People in Odisha: A Systematic Literature Review

Physical and Mental Health Status of Tribal People in Odisha: A Systematic Literature Review

Threats to Indigenous Tribal Peoples in Brazil during the Reign of Jair Bolsonaro and Ways to Combat Them

Threats to Indigenous Tribal Peoples in Brazil during the Reign of Jair Bolsonaro and Ways to Combat Them

Socio-Economic Condition of Tribal People in some Selected Pockets of Bardhaman Town, West Bengal

Socio-Economic Condition of Tribal People in some Selected Pockets of Bardhaman Town, West Bengal

Reshaping conservation incorporating Indigenous perspectives

Typically, conservation is achieved by excluding, evacuating, or legally dismissing the rights of local/native people from using protected areas, resulting in evictions, ongoing distress, and dejection among many Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) worldwide. However, the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRTWS) in the Western Ghats offers a unique example of conservation where local tribal people, Soligas, have persisted and been living with tigers, elephants, bears, leopards, and other wild animals for millennia. In the past, they managed the forest which, under the colonial and later modern conservation policies, has been restricted and penalised. However, Soligas’ continuous existence in the Sanctuary suggests that people’s knowledge and skills must be contributing to enable them to co-exist with wild animals. Our integrated analysis of ecological, socio-cultural, and policy aspects and experience of working with Soligas in the BRT landscape typifies the importance of locals’ knowledge in managing the forest — urging the need to recognise and support IPLCs’ work for achieving conservation as well as socio-economic outcomes. This Note highlights the necessity to understand, recognise, and embrace IPLCs’ knowledge systems from a conservation context. Emerging future economic opportunities through Nature-based Solutions, if developed equitably, sustainably, and in culturally appropriate ways in line with IPLCs' aspirations and responsibilities, can benefit both wildlife and people, while reducing wildlife conflicts and delivering multiple-faceted conservation outcomes globally.

Impact of MGNREGA on economic conditions of tribal community

It is the purpose of this study to examine how the MGNREGA has affected the financial situations of India's indigenous tribal people. Established in 2005, MGNREGA seeks to improve livelihood stability by offering rural families a minimum of 100 days of pay work annually. Examining the program's effects on the economic well-being of tribal populations—among India's most marginalised groups—is the primary goal of this research. This study employs a mixed-methods strategy, drawing on both quantitative data culled from official reports and household surveys and qualitative insights gleaned from in-depth interviews and focus groups held throughout specific tribal areas. Income, spending habits, availability of basic services, and general livelihood security are some of the most important metrics tracked. Initial results indicate that MGNREGA has helped tribal communities economically by lowering migration, increasing access to basic services, and providing stable work. On the other hand, problems including late payments, poor implementation, and beneficiaries not knowing about their rights are also highlighted in the report. Better administration, more community involvement, and individualised interventions to meet the specific requirements of tribal communities are some of the policy suggestions made in the paper's last section, which aims to improve MGNREGA's performance in tribal regions. The crucial role of employment initiatives in reshaping the economic landscape of India’s tribal tribes is highlighted in this research, which intends to add to the wider conversation on rural development and social fairness.

Sustaining the mobile medical units to bring equity in healthcare: a PLS-SEM approach

BackgroundEquitable access to healthcare for rural, tribal, and underprivileged people has been an emerging area of interest for researchers, academicians, and policymakers worldwide. Improving equitable access to healthcare requires innovative interventions. This calls for clarifying which operational model of a service innovation needs to be strengthened to achieve transformative change and bring sustainability to public health interventions. The current study aimed to identify the components of an operational model of mobile medical units (MMUs) as an innovative intervention to provide equitable access to healthcare.MethodsThe study empirically examined the impact of scalability, affordability, replicability (SAR), and immunization performance on the sustainability of MMUs to develop a framework for primary healthcare in the future. Data were collected via a survey answered by 207 healthcare professionals from six states in India. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was conducted to empirically determine the interrelationships among various constructs.ResultsThe standardized path coefficients revealed that three factors (SAR) significantly influenced immunization performance as independent variables. Comparing the three hypothesized relationships demonstrates that replicability has the most substantial impact, followed by scalability and affordability. Immunization performance was found to have a significant direct effect on sustainability. For evaluating sustainability, MMUs constitute an essential component and an enabler of a sustainable healthcare system and universal health coverage.ConclusionThis study equips policymakers and public health professionals with the critical components of the MMU operational model leading toward sustainability. The research framework provides reliable grounds for examining the impact of scalability, affordability, and replicability on immunization coverage as the primary public healthcare outcome.

Analysis of Fluorescently Labeled ISSR Markers to Reveal the Genetic Diversity of Cassava Varieties (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in the Kerala’s Tribal Area of India

The study Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) molecular markers to genotype distinct cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars within tribal communities in Kerala, India. Fluorescent ISSR primers were labelled with 6-carboxyfluorescein and used for PCR amplification. The total number of bands produced was 72, of which 49 were found to be polymorphic markers; an average of 17 polymorphic bands was obtained per primer. The manuscript is a scientific validation of the traditional knowledge of tribal people regarding the diversity and wealth of cassava crops in the region, and this validation can therefore help in protecting the farmers right on a particular landrace that they cultivate. The technique used in the diversity analysis is a time-saving process as compared to conventional breeding programs for crop improvement. The data in the manuscript also supports similarity and differences of each variety to one another, which is analysed statistically with the molecular marker-based data generated. By examining genetic diversity at a high resolution, ISSR markers can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics of these cassava populations. This research contributes to the broader goal of enhancing agricultural sustainability and food security in tribal communities.

Advancing Equity in Health Care Among Dalits and Tribal People in India: The Progress, Current Realities, and the Way Forward.

The caste system and resulting social exclusion are important social determinants of health inequity in India. This article critically analyzes the influence of the caste system on health inequity in India, starting with a historical perspective and moving to the current status. The article argues that the caste system has deprived Dalits and tribal people in India of achieving health equity. The programs to promote health are often disease-specific and not culturally informed, leading to poor attention at the policy level to the intersecting disadvantages that make Dalits and tribal communities vulnerable, resulting in poor health. The authors suggest strengthening and promoting primary care, improving health access for Dalit and tribal populations, and the need for pivotal changes in the medical education system, shifting the emphasis from specialized care to training family physicians to be oriented toward community health needs, keeping health equity in perspective.

The detrimental effect of socio-economic factors on cotton productivity in the tribal region of Odisha

Cotton is a crucial cash crop in the tribal belt of Odisha. It has a significant effect on the livelihood of the tribal people. The volatile socio-economic background of the tribal farmers is a major hindrance to the proper development of the agriculture sector. In this regard, it is important to study the possible factors affecting cotton productivity in the tribal region to boost the policy effectiveness for the development of this cash crop in the area. More precisely, how is their socio-economic condition reflected in their crop productivity? So, the development of the tribal farmers can develop this crop in the region. This study analyses the detrimental effect of socio-economic factors on cotton productivity in the tribal area of Odisha. The data are collected using a structured questionnaire and a multiple-sampling technique. To understand the effect of socioeconomic factors on productivity, the ordinary least square (OLS) method has been employed in this paper. The result shows that most of the farmers are illiterate for which productivity is degrading. The age and gender of the head of the household are significant contributors to the cotton productivity of the study area. Male-headed households are more productive than female-headed households. Per capita monthly income and proportion of irrigated land are also important factors to affect cotton productivity positively. However, the social group of the family has no significant effect on the cotton productivity in the study area. Policymakers and agriculturists should emphasize farmer literacy, farmer income and land irrigation facilities to boost the productivity of this crop in the studied region.

Ethnozoological study of medicinal animals used by the inhabitants of the Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

BackgroundAn ethnozoological study of medicinal animals in the Kucha district, Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia, was conducted to investigate and document the use of traditional medicinal animals and the associated indigenous knowledge. Tribal people still make abundant use of animals and their parts to manage diseases in humans and even livestock.MethodA cross sectional study design and purposively sampling techniques were used. Data were collected from 132 respondents based on semi structured questionnaires. Focus group discussions (FGD) and Key informant interviews (KII) were conducted; Fidelity level (FL), Relative frequency of citation (RFC) and Informants’ consensus factor (ICF) were used to analyze species preference and importance.ResultsA total of 24 medicinal animals were identified with 13 species (54.2%) being mammals of which 5 species (20.8%) dominated. They were followed by arthropods, reptiles and fishes. Seven out of the total were domestic species (29%) and 17 (70%) were wild animals. The majority of these animals, i.e. 22 (91.7%), were used to treat human ailments; whereas 2 (8.3%) were used to treat livestock ailments. The ICF values varied from 0.8 to 1.The highest FL value (98%) was linked to the cow (cattle), the lowest (1.5%) to the scorpion. The RFC value (1.0) was highest for the cow and lowest (0.02) for the scorpion. Honey, milk, and butter were the most commonly used therapeutic animal products, but regarding direct uses, fresh/raw meat dominated. Out of ten ailment categories, headaches had the lowest ICF value (0.8). All others scored at least 0.9.ConclusionsIn rural areas, sick people often do not only have limited access to modern medical facilities, they actually prefer traditional treatments considering them to be more reliable and effective. It is therefore important to focus on documenting, conserving, and safeguarding the indigenous knowledge so that strategies to manage the traditional wisdom can be implemented in the future. To achieve these goals, it is important to make sure that medicinal animal species are available in sufficient numbers and neither threatened by habitat changes or overexploitation.