ABOUT THE BOOK

This volume is a rich addition to the study of biological and cultural aspects of populations in North East India, which is part of India's unity in diversity in respect of ecology, ethnicity, language, and culture. The volume offers a collection of research articles that are directly or indirectly concerned with the ongoing bio-cultural transformations among different population groups in North East India, which are associated with a multitude of factors. Indeed the subject matter of change is very complex and it remains as the major issue of several disciplines in medical and social sciences including anthropology and sociology. The volume will serve as a useful resource book for different scholars and researchers including biological anthropologists, nutritionists, cultural anthropologists, sociologists, economists and other specialists in the field of social sciences, particularly those who are concerned with the population groups in North East India.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

R. KHONGSDIER is at present Professor of Anthropology and Director-In-Charge of Publications at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU). Previously he served as Head, Department of Anthropology, Estate Officer, and Proctor at NEHU. He also held posts in some Departments of the Government of Meghalaya, and served as Physical Anthropologist (Class-I), Anthropological Survey of India, Government of India. He has published more than 75 publications and served as member of the Editorial Boards of several journals.

SARTHAK SENGUPTA is an alumnus of Dibrugarh and Gauhati University respectively. He also worked with the Anthropological Survey of India, GOI and NEHU, Shillong. Professor Sengupta has about 245 research publications besides seventeen well-knitted books on North East Indian tribes.  Professor Sengupta is member of Editorial Boards of several journals. He is at present Professor of Anthropology and Director (i/c), Centre for North East Studies, Dibrugarh University, Assam.

CONTENTS

Preface 9
List of Tables 11
Contributors 13
1. Role of Acculturation and Assimilation in the Growth of Assamese Muslim People, their Society and Culture 17
— A.N.M. Irshad Ali
• Introduction • Islam in Assam and the Growth of Assamese Muslim People • The Assamese Muslims • Society and Culture • Conclusion • References.
2. The Construction of Gender in the North-east: An Anthropological Critique 31
— Lucy Zehol
• The Notion of Gender • Anthropology and Gender • Construction of Gender among the Khasis and Naga • Challenges • References.
3. Dynamics of Gender Roles in Khasi-Pnar Matrilineality 45
— Valentina Pakyntein
• Introduction • Traditional Gender Roles in Khasi Society and the Underlying Values • Changing Society and Gender Role at Present • Concluding Remarks: Issues and Queries • References.
4. Transitions in the Traditional Institutions of a Mao Naga Village: An Ethnographic Exploration 63
— Geetika Ranjan and A. Kapesa
• Introduction • Village Makhel • Present • Functions of the Movuo and the Village Authority (Enulei Kotsiimei) • Settlement of Disputes • Movuo and Enulei Kotsiimei at Makhel Village • Village Administration • References.
5. Social and Legal Consequences of Admixture in Matrilineal Tribes of Meghalaya 83
— R. Khongsdier
• Introduction • Clan Organisation among the Khasis and Garos • Kinship Disorder and Adjustment • Legal and Political Issues • Concluding Remarks • References.
6. Food Habits and Dietary Intake of Karbi Adolescent Girls of Kamrup District of Assam 97
— Ritu Geu Goswami, Mini Bhattacharyya
• Introduction • Methodology • Results • Conclusion • References.
7. Nutritional Status and Blood Pressure among the Ageing Tiwas of Morigaon District, Assam 109
— Barnali Das and Chandana Sarmah
• Introduction • Methodology • Study Area and People • Nutritional Status     • Blood Pressure • Conclusion • References.
8. The Effects of the Interaction of Household Income with Age and Sex on BMI among the Pnars of Nangbah Village in Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya 123
— Abigail Lalnuneng and R. Khongsdier
• Introduction • Materials and Methods • Results • Nutritional Status • Concluding Remarks • References.
9. Somatotype Components and Body Mass Index: A Case Study of the Adult Bhoi Males 135
— Sudipta Ghosh and Thepuvekho Dawhuo
• Introduction • Materials and Methods • Major Findings • Discussion • References.
10. Growth Study among the Ahom Children of Upper Assam 149
— Dali Dutta and Sarthak Sengupta
• Introduction • Material and Methods • Results and Discussion • Com-parisons of Growth Pattern • References.
11. Influence of Socio-Economic Factors on Infant and Child Mortality among the Pnars of Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya 173
— Dhruba Kumar Limbu and Happystone Syngkon
• Introduction • Land and People • Materials and Methods • Results • Conclusion • References.
12. Of Gods and Goddesses: Agricultural Rituals of the Garos of Meghalaya, India 183
— Queenbala Marak
• Introduction • Cultivating the Plot that Shifts • Agricultural Calendar of the Garos • Agricultural Rituals • Gods and Goddesses of the Fields • Discussion • Conclusion • References.
13. Indigenous Way of Response to Gynecological and Obstetric Problems among the Dibongiya Deoris of Assam 201
— Juri Borah and Sarthak Sengupta
• Introduction • Objective • Materials and Methods • Results and Discussion • Conclusion • Acknowledgement • References.
14. Women Power Structure in Matrilineal Jaintia Society 211
— R. P. Athparia
• The People • Jaintia Village • Customary Law, Community and Women • Women in the Traditional Political Institutions • Traditional Political Institutions • Women Membership in the Traditional Tribal Council • Modern Political Institutions and Women • Women Participation in Local Bodies • Women Contesting Elections • Conclusion • References.
15. Language of the Assamese Utensils 235
— Birinchi K. Medhi
• Introduction • Introduction of Brass or Bell Metal in Assam • Socio-economic and Technological Transformation of Assam • Types and Functions • References.
Index 249