2024
Volume 20, Number 1
Diocletian, Maxentius and the legal status of Christianity in imperial constitutions on religious freedom (303-312 AD): a review according to the latest findings
”Judicial review” and “overruling” in Late Roman law, Christianity, Diocletian, Early Christian Women, Early Christianity, Early Donatism, Hellenism, Historical Jesus, Maxentius, Neoplatonism and Theurgy, Religious freedom in Late AntiquityBy: MARCO CECINI, DIEGO SERRA – In 2022, an interdisciplinary, preliminary study analyzed for the first time Diocletian’s edict of persecution of Christianity, which was believed to be completely lost for 1700 years. Three imperial constitutions belonging to several manuscript traditions that come from 12 Byzantine and post-Byzantine Codes have been carefully studied from a…
Lacrosse on the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi and Beltrami’s racket
By: SANDRA BUSATTA – he article discusses lacrosse in the Great Lakes region, characterized by the use of a single racket, distinct from the Iroquois variant. The oldest surviving racket, collected by G. C. Beltrami in 1823, is presently preserved at the Caffi Museum in Bergamo, Italy. The Beltrami racket holds considerable cultural significance, not…
A Sun Circle and Shaman holding a Crescent Moon Petroglyph: Following the Solstice Sun across High Points on the Archaic-age Cultural Landscape and Links to a Probable Copper Culture Moon Cult in Southeastern Wisconsin
By: HERMAN BENDER – The Eagle’s Nest is a vision quest (and rock art site) site located on the extreme edge of the Niagara escarpment in southern Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin (USA). It was discovered by following a Summer Solstice Sunset (SSSS) alignment of mutually visible sites spaced along high points on a 13.5…
Studies on the iboga cults. I. The ancient documents
By: GIORGIO SAMORINI – The hallucinogenic plant Tabernanthe iboga is used as a source of visions by various ethnic groups of western equatorial Africa in the context of a complex system of religious, therapeutic and divinatory practices that can collectively be defined as ‘iboga cults’. The most renowned are the religious cults known as Bwiti.…
Studies on the iboga cults. II. Missionary and colonial mystifications
bwiti, cannibalism, Christian missions, Colonialism, equatorial Africa, hallucinogenic plants, human sacrificesBy: GIORGIO SAMORINI – In this second contribution towards the study of the traditional uses of the hallucinogenic plant iboga in equatorial Africa, some aspects are exposed regarding the formation of false clichés of missionary and colonial origin which have influenced and indoctrinated the same natives, to the point of convincing them of the reality…
The Sagada karst rocks as an interface between immanence and transcendence
By: FRANCO VIVIANI – The karst region of Sagada in the Mountain Province of Luzon, Philippines, is famous for its cave entrances graced with pine log coffins. These are the final resting places of the ancient Sagadans, laid to rest after complex rituals. The caves’ exterior walls are often adorned with what are termed “hanging…
Estimation Of Stature Among Bengali Adolescents Using Arm Span And Arm Length: An Observational Study From North Bengal (West Bengal, India)
By: MAMPI DEBNATH, ARGINA KHATUN – Estimating stature from various body parts is crucial in forensic and medico-legal fields, especially for identification. Arm span is a reliable indicator of stature. This study aimed to estimate stature from arm span and right arm length in Bengali adolescents aged 11-17. The study included 400 adolescents (194 boys,…
A Comparative Study on Marriage Customs of Two Hindu Bengali Communities in Kolkata Metropolis of India
By: ARUN MAKAL – This article explores the distinct marriage customs of two Hindu Bengali communities in West Bengal: the Brahmins and the Poundra-Kshatriyas. It delves into the rituals, actions, and symbols integral to the marriage processes of these groups in Kolkata. The Brahmins, at the top of the caste hierarchy, have specific marriage rituals…
Haemoglobinopathies in North-East India: A review on the models associated with its prevalence
By: IMMON GHOSH, GULRUKH BEGUM – Various abnormal hemoglobin structures of human blood are widely prevalent among some populations of Upper Assam. Over the years, various researches have been conducted by different researchers from varied perspectives. Many theories have been put forward as to the origin and spread of the mutation which led to the…
To be or not to be of the Uttarakhand land laws
By: KAMAL CHOUDHARY – Uttarakhand is witnessing a heightened demand for the revision of its land laws, a pivotal issue since the state’s formation. This paper delves into the call for ‘bhoo kanoon’ by Uttarakhand’s ‘natives’, against the backdrop of investments by ‘outsiders’ in the form of hotels, resorts, and homes. It chronicles the history…
Different kind of Sexual transmitted Disease Including HIV/AIDS
By: KANKANA DE – Sexually transmitted diseases are a significant public health concern in developing countries. Many people are reluctant to seek treatment due to a lack of awareness and shame. To address this, we must prioritize sexual education, health counseling, and access to sexual hygiene and personal hygiene resources. Ignoring symptoms can lead to…
Musical Instruments: The Heritage of the Kom Tribe of Manipur
By: KEISHAM INGOCHA SINGH, ARUNDHATI DEVI MAIBAM, THIYAM RABIKANTA SINGH, AKOIJAM BOJEN MEETEI, MAIBAM MANORANJAN SINGH – In the Kom culture, a variety of musical instruments serve as vehicles for communication. These instruments include the vakhung/khuangche (a large slit wooden drum), the soom (metal gong), the rushem (bagpipe), and the sirangder (stringed instrument). The Kom…
Gaddi: Himachal Pradesh’s evolving pastoral tribe
By: SHIVANSHI NEHRIA, ABHIK GHOSH – The Gaddis, a renowned nomadic tribe from the Himalayas, reside in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba and Kangra districts, traversing the Dhaula Dhar range. Their migrations, echoing Lord Shiva’s pattern, lead them to Lahaul’s high pastures in summer and to Himachal Pradesh’s borders in winter. They pay grazing taxes to the…
Harmony in History: “Unveiling the History of Women Tea Plantations Workers Through Jhumur Songs”
By: NANDINI BHOWMIK, SAMAR KUMAR BISWAS – This article explores the cultural importance of Jhumur songs within the colonial tea plantation societies of Assam. Originating from the Sadani language, Jhumur is a key narrative instrument reflecting the life and challenges of the tea garden laborers, particularly women. The study analyzes Jhumur songs and historical documents…
Finger and Palmar Dermatoglyphics patterns of the Ahom population of Assam
By: PARISHMITA GOGOI, JYOTI HAZARIKA – This research aims to decipher the digital and palmar dermatoglyphic patterns among the Ahom community in Assam’s Lakhimpur district. It examines the sexual dimorphism in the dermatoglyphic characteristics of the population’s fingers. Additionally, it compares current results with those from other ethnic groups previously studied to evaluate group heterogeneity.…
Reproductive Health, Nutritional Status and Disease Burden of the Hill Kharia Women: A Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group of Odisha, India
By: DEBARATI BHATTACHARJEE, PRIYANKA KANRAR, MONALI GOSWAMI – This study aimed to assess the reproductive health, nutritional status, and disease burden of Hill Kharia tribal women in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. We included 174 women aged 18 to 60 years. Our findings revealed that these women had a mean conception rate of 3.01, a…
The Organisation of Production among the Ice-cream factory workers of Bira Bandhabpally, North 24 PGS, W.B, India: An anthropological perspective
By: BANASREE ROY, CHINMAY BISWAS, ABHIJIT DAS – This study examines a small-scale local business, specifically an ice factory in Bira, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Employing three workers, all related, the factory has been operational since 2002. Daily production stands at 2000 units, with 1500 units sold. In addition to the core team, five…
‘Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Can ChatGPT Reveal it All?’: Noam Chomsky’s Perspective and Various Critiques of AI
Artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, Noam Chomsky on ChatGPT, Social Impact of AI, Social Impact of ChatGPTBy: RITAPRAVA BANDYOPADHYAY – In this article, the metaphor of the magic mirror from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (Grimm 1857) is employed to illustrate the pervasive application of ChatGPT. However, the question arises: Can ChatGPT, like the fairy tale’s mirror, reveal everything? OpenAI asserts that ChatGPT can handle…
Ephemeral Flows: a comprehensive overview of the state of water quality in a transient river system in northwest India
By: RITESH, ANIL KISHORE SINHA – Rivers have been pivotal to human progress, providing essential resources for ancient societies. The Ghaggar River, flowing through three states and one Union Territory, has been a cornerstone for settlements due to its fertile lands. However, its proximity to mining, agriculture, and industrial zones has altered its chemical dynamics,…
Prevalence of overweight/obesity, hypertension and its associated factors among study population of rural and periurban Birbhum district, West Bengal
By: SAIKAT MAJUMDAR, ASHOKE GORAIN, PREMANANDA BHARATI – The main cause of excessive overweight and obesity is the imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. Obesity is a significant predictor of hypertension and a controllable factor. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a convenient measure for assessing overweight and obesity. This study aims to determine the relationship…
Anthropometric Characteristics and Body Composition measures among the Santal tribal population of Mayurbhanj, Odisha, India
By: SAMIYA HANSDAH, SUBHALAXMI BARAL, SAUNA MAJHI, RANJANA RANI SINGH, RAJESWAR MAHARANA, MONALI GOSWAMI – The detrimental effects of malnutrition on health, development, and economic productivity are widely recognized. Accurate identification is crucial to understand the severity and address the issue. Tribal health has long been a focus for researchers and scholars. The current study…
Deconstructing the Racism of the Corona Virus through the Lens of Anthropology
By: HOABIJAM VOKENDRO SINGH, H. CHINGLEMBA MEITEI, KASIMANG MOYONG, MIBI RIBA, BENGIA SEEMA – The coronavirus pandemic originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and swiftly spread worldwide, resulting in 1,813,811 deaths in 2020 and approximately 3,000,000 excess deaths. Amidst this crisis, Asians with Mongoloid features faced wrongful psychological and physical abuse globally due to…
A Comparative Study of Morbidity Patterns in Elderly Women of Rural and Urban Areas of Upper Assam, India
By: DALI DUTTA – Aging is a natural process with its own dynamics, largely outside of human control. The elderly have distinct health issues, different from those of younger adults. This study focused on the socio-demographic profile and morbidity patterns among elderly women in Upper Assam. Conducting a cross-sectional study, women aged 60 and above…
Religion and Village Economy: A Model of Village Development for the Meiteis of Nongpok Lourembam Village, Manipur
By: ANANDIBALA MANGSHATABAM, HOABIJAM VOKENDRO SINGH, S. PRIYOKUMAR – Previous ethnographic studies have shown that community-level village organization for general welfare is widespread. In Nongpok Lourembam, Manipur, the Meiteis have maintained such traditional organization uniquely for over a hundred years. The village has established an income-generating mechanism through agriculture. This economic system is significantly shaped…
Socio-Cultural Dynamics of the Caste System
Caste System, culture, Hierarchy, Modernization and Globalization, Sanskritization, Secularization, WesternizationBy: HARISHCHANDRA MISHRA – This paper presents an analysis of the caste system as a cultural construct. Esteemed social anthropologists and sociologists have perceived caste as a set of cultural beliefs and practices prevalent in Indian society. Caste is traditionally viewed as a cultural system shaped by specific norms and values that dictate the interrelations…
Pathophysiology of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Study among the Hindu and Muslim Women of Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Blood pressure, Metabolic Syndrome, Pathophysiology, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Prevalence, Random blood glucose level Hemoglobin levelBy: TITAS GHOSH, BAIDYANATH PAL, SUVENDU MAJI, MONALI GOSWAMI – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting numerous women of reproductive age, marked by hormonal imbalances, irregular menstruation, and ovarian cysts. Beyond fertility concerns, PCOS correlates with metabolic issues like insulin resistance, obesity, and heightened risks of type 2 diabetes and heart…
The Gendered Impact of Climate Change: Unveiling the Disparities
By: JAGRITI MEHTA, A.K. SINHA, MANINDER KAUR – Climate change stands as a formidable challenge of our era, with extensive repercussions for both the environment and human societies. Its effects are unevenly distributed, intersecting with and exacerbating existing social, economic, and political disparities. A notable aspect of this inequality is the gendered impact of climate…
Epidemiological Study of Type 2 Diabetes and its Co-morbidities in the Urban Population of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
By: S.A.A. LATHEEF, G. SUBRAMANYAM, BATTINI MOHAN REDDY – We screened 1,519 adults over 20 years old from Tirupati, including 539 males and 980 females, collecting data on age, sex, family history of T2DM, hypertension, CAD, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol were…
Health Status and its Association with Age and a Few Socio-economic Variables among the Adult Mishing Population of Dhemaji District, Assam
By: MAYUR TRISHNA HAZARIKA, SARTHAK SENGUPTA – The study assessed the health of the adult Mishing population in Dhemaji District, Assam, using WHR, WHtR, and Conicity index alongside age and socio-economic factors. It involved 519 individuals from 18 to 60 years, both genders included. Standard protocols were followed for anthropometric measurements such as height, weight,…
Life Amidst Conflict: A Case Study on the Perspectives of Women Tea Plantation Workers in Jalpaiguri District
By: PAYAL ROY, NANDINI BHOWMIK, SWEETY KUJUR, SAMAR KUMAR BISWAS – This research delves into the difficulties women tea garden workers face in Jalpaiguri district owing to human-wildlife conflict. Cultural, religious, and gender dynamics profoundly affect women’s experiences in tea gardens amid human-wildlife conflict. Hindu doctrines, which advocate for animal compassion, influence attitudes toward wildlife.…
An assessment of the nutritional knowledge of mothers and the nutritional status of children: a cross-sectional study among the tribal population of the Kamrup (Rural) district, Assam
By: NABAJIT KR. DAS, ARJINA BEGUM – This study involved 56 tribal mothers with children aged 1-5 years from three villages in Boko block, Kamrup (Rural) district, Assam, aiming to evaluate their knowledge of child nutrition. It also examined the sources of their nutrition information. Data was collected via questionnaires and interviews. Results showed that…
Malnutrition in Indian Women due to changing food habits: An Anthropological Perspective
By: SIMRANJEET KAUR, ANIL KISHORE SINHA – Malnutrition remains a persistent global health issue, hindering human development. The World Health Organization defines it as an imbalance and lack of essential nutrients, leading to deficiencies in the human body. It broadly encompasses nutritional crises and obstacles to a nation’s food security. Malnutrition’s impact is complex, yet…
A Systematic Review on Nutritional Status of Women in India: An Outline
By: PRIYANKA, AAFREEN SIDDIQUI, KUNAL KASHYAP, SUBAL DAS, KAUSHIK BOSE – Women’s health and nutrition are of the utmost importance in India, where numerous nutritional programs and policies focus on them. Globally, women are the primary caretakers of their families, and rural women play a crucial role in sustaining their households by ensuring food and…
Sibling Relationships in Families with an Autistic Individual: Insights into their Lived Experiences
By: TANYA VATS, ANIL KISHORE SINHA, PRITI ARUN – Siblings of autistic individuals are often overlooked in autism research. This study examined the lived experiences of 50 typically developing siblings of autistic individuals from India. Using a qualitative methodology, the study employed semi-structured, in-depth interviews to highlight the sibling experiences. Thematic analysis yielded four themes…
Unmasking Injustice: A Comprehensive Review of Violence Against Women in India
By: NAJMA ANJUM MIRCHAL, TARUN JOSHI – Violence against women in India encompasses a range of abuses, including physical, sexual, and psychological harm. This analysis aims to shed light on the issue within India’s patriarchal society, where such abuse has become normalized. Despite laws aimed at protecting women, their status often remains unchanged, highlighting the…
Ritualizing Menstruation Blood: An Exploration of Kamakhya, the Goddess who is “Happy to Bleed”
By: NILSM KAKATI – This paper delves into the ritualization of menstrual blood within the Indic religious traditions, focusing particularly on the Tantric practices. It further investigates the depiction of Kamakhya, the esteemed Tantric site in Assam, India. The annual menstruation festival at Kamakhya, known as Ambuachi Mela, takes place in June. The “Happy to…
Gender Mainstreaming through Climate Change Initiatives: Experiences from BRAC Ultra-Poor Graduation Programme, Bangladesh
By: RIPON KUMAR SARKAR, ELIAS HOSSAIN, ABUL HASAN CHOWDHURY – Research indicates that climate change profoundly impacts the lives of vulnerable women. They face increased workloads due to environmental challenges like floods, droughts, and cyclones, which affect their access to essential resources such as clean water, fuel, and food. Women’s safety is at risk during…
