This book is an anthropological account of the tribe, Ho in Orissa. The Ho have migrated from the neighbouring districts of Bihar and are settled in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa. They continue to live amidst other local tribal populations like the Santal, Bathudi and Kharia etc. and most of the times in multi-ethnic villages, Basically the Ho are settled agriculturists and have stepped into industrial labour in recent times. ""The book, a monograph in the real sense, consists of social organisation, economic pursuits, political organization, religion and rituals of the Ho in Orissa."" The on-going developmental programmes and their effects in one block, which was studied intensively, have been described also; and finally, the remarkable changes in various facets of their life are brought out. An endeavour in this study has been made to record the traditional Ho culture in Orissa, and the forces that change it through time,
Kamal Kant Misra (b. 1954), currently Lecturer in Anthropology at Utkal University, was educated at Utkal and Jawaharlal Nehru Universities under many illustrious teachers in Anthropology and Sociology.
With a bright academic career, ho joined the Post-Graduate Teaching Department of Anthropology at Utkal University in 1978 as Lecturer, and continuing there since then. He has been teaching a wide range of subjects including Anthropological Thought, Human Ecology and Culture Studies of South and South East Asia.
Although the present one is his first book, he has contributed a number of research articles to many Anthropo-logical and Sociological Journals both in India and abroad. He was also the Associate Editor of an international Journal, South East Asian Perspectives.
His present research interest includes the study of elites, social stratification and mobility among the tribes of North East India and South East Asia,
Immediately after the Indian independence, all possible efforts are being made by the Government and many other voluntary agencies to ameliorate the plights and tribulations of the indigenous and pre-literate communities of the country and to bring them to the mainstream of Indian nationalism. These tribal populations in our country, which constitute about 7 per cent of the total population and are divided into over 450 com-. munities, have been contributing to the social, economic and cultural life of India since time immemorial. Therefore, their development is of prime concern today, without which our independence would be reduced to a mere slogan. Historically, these communities were under severe deprivation and suppression. During three centuries of British rule, they were not only segregated, but no step whatsoever was taken for their economic or educational development. It is a matter of great satisfaction that our Government is serious enough to see them developed like other Indians, and hence, the plans and policies for tribal development. May be indirectly, for the success of this noble veature, the tentacles of many modern forces are made to engulf the colourful customs and conventions of these communities. Systematic preparation of monographs have been attempted to codify these fast dying traditions and preserve them for the future scholars. The present monograph is an addition to this kind of venture and presents the life and changing customs of the Ho of Mayurbhanj district in Orissa. This tribe mostly inhabits the mining and industrial belt of Bihar-Orissa border and is exposed to the forces of industrialization right from the beginning of the century. From whatever little persistence of their convention exists now and the magnitude of culture change that surreptitiously percolates, one may rightly be apprehensive of the community loosing its identity gradually, and in near future being completely assimilated like many other tribes in India and elsewhere.
The ultimate success of this venture produces many debts -intellectual and otherwise. The field-work was only made possible due to the research grants provided by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, under its minor research scheme to the University teachers. I am deeply grateful to Professor Dr. L.K. Mahapatra, Professor Dr. N.K. Behura and Professor B.K. Behera of the Department of Anthropology, Utkal University for their constructive criticisms and guidance at various stages of the preparation of the monograph. Entire responsibilities are however mine for any committed error. My colleague, Dr. P.N. Nayak was specially helpful at the post-preparation stage and deserves my gratitude. I am also grateful to Susma and Riki for their unconditional compromise with my long schedules of work at the cost of their comfort. The villagers of Jashipur Block in the district of Mayurbhanj and the officials of Bamanghaty sub-division have helped me to such an extent that without their active cooperation, this work could not have become possible. Finally, I am thankful to Shri J.L. Gupta for taking serious interest in publishing this book so soon and so neatly.
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