2025
Volume 21, Number 2
Kampo: ethnography of a Southamerican frog
By: GIORGIO SAMORINI – The rubbing of the secretions of certain tree frogs on skin scars is a widespread practice among at least fifteen ethnic groups in the Amazon. The most commonly used frog species is Phyllomedusa bicolor, commonly known as kampo or kambo. Over the past thirty years, this practice has spread globally, with…
The Norma Nelson Duppler Site: A Petroform and Archeoastronomy Site (Investigation) in North Dakota and Link to the Broader Northern Plains Cultural Landscape and Cosmology
By: HERMAN BENDER – The Norma Nelson Duppler site is located on the west side of the Sheyenne River approximately twelve miles south of Valley City in Barnes County, North Dakota. Archaic in age (ca. 2000 to 8000 BP), the site acts to quarter both time and space utilizing petroform and natural landscape features. At…
Studies on the iboga cults. VI. The divinatory practices
By: GIORGIO SAMORINI – This section on the cults of the hallucinogenic iboga plant of equatorial Africa first presents a general overview of divinatory practices, including those using mirrors or other reflective surfaces (catoptromancy). Follows the presentation of the African nganga, understood as a witch-doctor. The principal divinatory rites using iboga are then presented, including…
Studies on the iboga cults VII. The traditional Bwiti
Apindji, bwiti, equatorial Africa, Equatorial Guinea, gabon, hallucinogenic plants, Mitsogho, Nkomi, Tabernanthe ibogaBy: GIORGIO SAMORINI – This section on the cults of the hallucinogenic iboga plant of western equatorial Africa describes the traditional Bwiti religious cult, that is, the one not syncretic with Christianity. The traditional Bwiti is widespread among at least twenty ethnic groups in Gabon, and the most studied is the Bwete of the Mitsogho.…
Afvcketv (Creek Stickball)
By: SANDRA BUSATTA – Afvcketv or pokkecheta also known as stickball, is important to the social fabric of Creek communities. This popular game fosters interaction among individuals from different towns. Known as the “Little Brother of War,” it was historically significant. Teams of 50 to 100 players from two different towns competed to propel a…
Sotto la città. Applicazione di archeologia preventiva per un contesto funerario di età moderna (Via Scipione Ronchetti, Altamura – BA)
Altamura (Bari), burial activity, church of Sant’Antonio dei Padri Minori Conventuali, sacred burial contextBy: SILVIA CAGNETTA, VINCENZO STASOLLA, RICCARDO CHIARADIA, EBE CHIARA PRINCIGALLI – The emergency archaeological intervention carried out in July 2023 on Via Scipione Ronchetti in Altamura (Bari) led to the stratigraphic excavation of an early modern ecclesiastical funerary context associated with the church of Sant’Antonio dei Padri Minori Conventuali, demolished between 1902 and 1905. The…
Reflections on a New Paleoanthropological Discovery (Zarqa, Jordan)
By: FRANCO VIVIANI – This article details a palaeoanthropological discovery in the Zarqa Valley, Jordan, by a research team led by Fabio Parenti. The region, once a crossroads of human migration during the Pleistocene, has yielded stone tools attributed to the Oldowan culture, dated between 2.5 and 2 million years ago. These findings predate the…
Native American Hide Painting in Chronicles and Other Documents of the 16th- 18th Centuries
colored dyes, Native American, native artists, Northeast, painted hides, paints, Plains, Southeast, SouthwestBy: RUSLAN YENDRZHIYEVSKYY – The purpose of this work is to gather and, if possible, analyze scattered information about Native American hide painting found in chronicles, reports, diaries, and memoirs of European explorers and travelers from the 16th to 18th centuries. The accounts presented below provide important evidence of this form of native art in…
From Myth to Performance: An Anthropological Study of Cultural Transmission and Sacred Expression in Poothan and Thira of Kerala
By: RAHUL NR, BANITA BEHERA – This study examines how Poothan Thira supports Kerala’s cultural and spiritual continuity. It analyses how the performance conveys complex mythological and moral narratives, and how it adapts to modern social issues to remain relevant. Poothan Thira serves as a dynamic medium that upholds moral consciousness, cultural pride, and collective…
Genetic and dietary determinants of hypercalciuria in the calcium homeostasis: a narrative review
By: AHEIBAM ROBERTSON SINGH, SANJENBAM YAIPHABA MEITEI – Hypercalciuria is a complex condition associated with kidney stones, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. It is typically defined as urinary calcium excretion exceeding 200 mg per day, although factors such as age, diet, race, vitamin D levels, and genetics influence this threshold. A more practical assessment is the urinary…
Anthropological Study of Reproductive-Child Health and Nutritional Awareness among Birhor Women of Chhattisgarh
By: PRAKASH KUMAR, ANKITA BHOI, VED PRAKASH, NAMRATA – Reproductive health concerns the well-being and care of both mother and child, encompassing comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care. Education and awareness regarding antenatal care and nutrition have posed challenges for the Birhor, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in Chhattisgarh, who reside in remote areas. This study…
Obesity among Ahom Women: an evaluation using Fat Mass Index, Percentage of Body Fat and Body Mass Index
By: AVIJIT BORUAH – Obesity is an increasing public health concern across various populations in India, including indigenous communities. This study aims to assess the prevalence of obesity among Ahom women using Fat Mass Index (FMI), Percentage of Body Fat (%BF), and Body Mass Index (BMI), and to explore the associated socio-demographic factors. This community-based…
Traditional Governance and Economic Adaptation among the Tangkhul of Manipur, India: An Anthropological Study of Change and Continuity
Cultural Ecology, indigenous political economy, labour exchange, land tenure, legal pluralism, Tangkhul Naga, Traditional governanceBy: BARNABAS MASHANGVA – This study explores the convergence of traditional governance and economic practices among the Tangkhul Naga community in Manipur, focusing on legal pluralism, indigenous political economy, and cultural ecology. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, oral histories, and secondary sources, it investigates how customary institutions – such as clan-based councils, village chiefs, and communal…
Illness as an Act of the Deity: Perspectives from Tribal Religion in India
By: BHASKARJYOTI BORO – This study explores the interconnection between illness, ritual, and religious belief among the Rabha tribe of Northeast India. Based on ethnographic fieldwork, it examines how deities are conceived as both protectors and sources of affliction, particularly in response to lapses in ritual norms. Illness and suffering are interpreted as manifestations of…
Prevalence of Eating Disorder among young adult students of Kolkata Metropolitan city, India
By: SOHINI SAHA, INDU BHAUMIK, SUBIR BISWAS – This study examines the prevalence of eating disorders among young adult students in Kolkata and their socio-demographic associations. A total of 25.43% of students were at risk of developing an eating disorder. Significant differences were found in age, residency, and sibling status between at-risk and normal groups.…
A Cross-Sectional Study on Physical Growth and Nutritional Status among Deori Tribal Children in Rural Assam, N. E. India
By: JUNUMAI DEORI – Malnutrition is a significant public health concern in India, particularly among tribal populations. The Deori tribe in Assam, India, offers a unique opportunity for research due to their distinct socio-cultural and economic context. The study identifies distinct growth patterns among Deori children, with boys averaging 21.32 kg and 112.93 cm, and…
The dual narratives of Indian cinema: Glorified smugglers and the silence on India’s deforestation crisis
By: MIR AZAD KALAM, SAPTAMITA PAL – This paper examines the contradictions between popular cinematic narratives and ecological realities in India, focusing on recent films such as Pushpa. The film’s protagonist– a wood smuggler turned community saviour – is depicted with empathy and heroism, despite his involvement in the illegal trade of Lal Chandan (Red…
Age at menarche and anthropometric variables: A study among Rajbanshi adolescent’s girl
By: ANTARA BOSE, ARGINA KHATUN – The onset of an adolescent’s period is accompanied by physiological, emotional, and behavioral changes that signal the beginning of menarche in females. Menarche is a significant developmental milestone. This study examines the relationship between menstrual onset and height, weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), thigh circumference (TC), body…
Kanthawork: A Pathway to Women Empowerment in Rural Bengal in India
By: SWASTIKA MUKHERJEE – Kantha work is a traditional form of hand embroidery from rural, undivided Bengal, particularly practiced by women. Kantha workers used to do this embroidery during their leisure time for a very nominal wage. This craft remains very popular in the rural areas of West Bengal and has the potential to enter…
Mnemonic Flavors: How Smell and Taste Trigger Cultural Memory
cultural memory, diaspora, food, identity, mnemonic triggers, nostalgia, postcolonial, Sensory experience, smellBy: CHANDRASEKHAR BHOI – This article examines the close relationship between sensory experience and cultural memory, focusing on how smell and taste serve as powerful mnemonic triggers. Drawing on theories from sensory anthropology, cultural studies, and cognitive psychology, it explores how flavors and aromas evoke personal and collective memories, especially in diasporic and postcolonial contexts.…
Role of Siali (Bauhinia vahlii) Creeper in Sustainable Livelihoods among the Mankirdia Tribe of the Similipal Biosphere Region
By: DEBASMITA SENDHA, BASANTA KUMAR MOHANTA – The Mankirdia tribe in the Similipal Biosphere Region of Odisha relies on the forest for their livelihoods, particularly on the Siali creeper (Bauhinia vahlii) to support their sustainable way of life. The present study was conducted in the villages of Dengam panchayat in Khunta block of Mayurbhanj district.…
Palaeolithic Culture of the Lower Ardei Basin, Keonjhar, Odisha, India: A Preliminary Report
By: SUBRAT KUMAR NAIK, BASANTA KUMAR MOHANTA, DEEPA NAIK, REESITA MOHAPATRA, MANU NAIK – The Baitarani River in Keonjhar district, northern Odisha, is known not only for its cultural and religious significance but also for its rich archaeological heritage. Ardei, one of the major tributaries of the Baitarani, originates from Bararach Hill in the Sidhamatha…
The Relationship between Absenteeism and Dropout among the Sabar Community at Satyadashpur (South 24 Parganas, West Bengal)
By: DIPA DALUI, SUTAPA CHOUDHURY, NIRMAL KANTI CHAKRABARTI, BAIDYANATH PAL, TILAK BAGCHI – The Sabar is a Scheduled Tribe that falls into a sub-category known as the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). In some parts of India, PVTGs are socio-economically and demographically vulnerable. Education is considered a key element for improving the socio-economic condition of…
Cultivating Cultural Humility: A Cosmopolitan Framework for Intercultural Competence and Global Citizenship Education
Cultural humility, decolonizing education, global citizenship, intercultural competence, reflexivityBy: ANNA IACOVELLA, ELISABETTA DI GIOVANNI – In the context of rapidly evolving global socio-cultural landscapes, there is an imperative to redefine the concepts and practices that underpin the cultivation of intercultural competence and global citizenship. This theoretical paper examines the paradigm shift from cultural competence to cultural humility as a foundational framework for intercultural…
Association of Obesity with Sleep Duration in the Indian Context: A Systematic Review
adolescent obesity, childhood obesity, inadequate sleep duration, Obesity, overweight, sleep deprivation, sleep duration and BMIBy: THOUNAOJAM SARJU CHANU, HAOBIJAM VOKENDRO – Obesity is a prevalent and multifaceted health condition that substantially increases the risk of a wide range of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory complications, and musculoskeletal disorders. The prevalence of obesity has been increasing at a rapid rate among children and adolescents…
Gender Disparities in India and Iran: A Comparative Study of Economic, Political, Educational, and Health Indicators
comparative analysis, economic participation, Education, Gender inequality, health indicators, India, Iran, political empowermentBy: AYSAN RASHID GAHREMANLU, ARUP MAJUMDER – This paper compares how gender inequality plays out in India and Iran. The report examines four primary sectors: employment, politics, education, and health. The research utilizes statistics from India, such as those from the National Sample Survey Office and the World Bank, along with data from 2016 to…
Religion on Facial Anthropometry: A Study from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
By: PRIYANKA, AAFREEN SIDDIQUI, KUNAL KASHYAP, KAMLESH LAMBA, SUBAL DAS, KAUSHIK BOSE – Facial anthropometry, the measurement and analysis of facial dimensions and proportions, reveals significant variations among adult males across religious groups due to the interaction of genetics, culture, and environment. This study aimed to investigate religious differences in facial anthropometric features of adult…
Boxer’s Brain Injuries Informed by Smokers and Lung Cancer: Illusory Liberty, Activists Use Knowledge and Visual Storytelling on a Big Screen
By: JOSEPH LEE – Boxing is a violent and often commercialized sport that involves the unfair treatment of bodies that have been racialized and devalued. Brain-injured boxers are frequently neglected. Although awareness of concussions has increased, research on the long-term effects of brain injuries on boxers, their families, social networks, and life after retirement remains…
Beyond the Shadows: An Anthropological Exploration of the continuity and change of Social Structure in the Mysterious Jogi Community of Darjeeling Hills (India)
By: SOVAN CHAKRABORTY – This paper presents an in-depth anthropological exploration of the enigmatic Jogi community residing in various blocks of the Darjeeling hills in India. Although they live on the margins of mainstream society, they have maintained a distinct cultural identity and social structure that has remained largely unexplored. The main aim of this…
Nutritional Status of Hill Korwa Tribe of Surguja District, Chhattisgarh, India
By: IRSHAD KHAN, SOURABH DWIVEDI – The lifestyles, environments, and socio-cultural customs and traditions of India’s tribal people vary widely since they live in such diverse environments. Nearly 42 ST tribes call Chhattisgarh their home, and of those, five are classified as Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): the Kamar, Abhujmariya, Birhor, Baiga, and Hill Korwa.…
Gendered Socialization, Personal Control, and Psychosocial Competence as Predictors of Subjective Well-Being among Women in Korea District, Chhattisgarh: A Cross-Sectional Study
autonomy, educated women, personal control, psychosocial competence, socialization, Subjective well-beingBy: IRSHAD KHAN, QUDDISIYA FIRDOUS LODHIA – This study examines the impact of gendered socialization, personal control, and psychosocial competence on the subjective well-being (SWB) of educated women in the Baikunthpur Block of Korea District, Chhattisgarh, India. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods design was used to collect data from 120 women with at least a Higher Secondary…
Socio-Economic and Nutritional Determinants of Low Birth Weight in Rural and Peri-urban Population of Birbhum District, West Bengal, India
By: SAIKAT MAJUMDAR, ASHOKE GORAIN, PREMANANDA BHARATI – This objective study aims to identify significant socioeconomic and nutritional determinants associated with low birth weight (LBW) in the rural and peri-urban population of Birbhum district, West Bengal. The percentage of LBW was 22.47%, and 35.23% of mothers received full antenatal care (ANC). The prevalence of LBW…
Effect of late marriage on child birth and associated complication
By: KANKANA DE – In the modern era, both men and women aim to achieve financial stability before getting married. Some couples marry but choose to delay having children, preferring to enjoy their marital life first and then decide to have a baby. As a result, women may become pregnant after the age of 35.…
Housing Patterns of the Gaddi Tribe in the Bharmour and its surroundings within the Ravi River Valley: A Cultural-Geographical Perspective
cultural geography, Gaddi tribe, Himachal Pradesh, Ravi River Valley, rural house types, Transhumance, Vernacular architectureBy: ANJALI SINGH, SIDDHANT VAISH, ARUN KUMAR, KAUSHAL SINGH BARFAL – This paper examines the rural housing patterns of the Gaddi tribe in the Ravi River Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. Through field surveys, interviews, and observational methods, the study investigates how physical geography, cultural heritage, and environmental constraints shape vernacular architecture. The Gaddi house…
Locating Anthropology in National/ New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India: An Overview
anthropology, Cultural Sensitivity, Education Reform, Indian Knowledge Systems, Multidisciplinary Education, NEP 2020By: SHUCHI SRIVASTAVA, RAHUL PATEL – The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 presents a transformative vision for India’s educational landscape, emphasizing holistic, inclusive, and multidisciplinary learning rooted in Indian cultural values. This review paper critically examines the relevance and potential contributions of anthropology within the NEP 2020 framework. Drawing on a diverse range of literature,…
Study of the rural health system from the perspective of medical anthropology
By: KANKANA DE – Medical anthropologists focus on community, social organisation, and observe that tribal people often prefer to use homemade medicines. For example, they apply turmeric paste to wounds and cuts, and use neem leaves for measles. Primary health care forms the foundation of the health care system. Anthropologists are involved in supporting marginalised…
Rural–urban differentials in selection intensity: Insights from fertility and mortality indicators in Howrah district of West Bengal
By: MIR AZAD KALAM, SAPTAMITA PAL – Darwinian principles of natural selection highlight fertility and mortality differentials as key drivers of evolutionary change. Quantifying these pressures with demographic selection indices provides insight into how health disparities shape evolutionary dynamics in human populations. This study examines rural–urban differences in the intensity of natural selection in Howrah…
Factors influencing the Perception of Parents towards Future Education of their Girl Child
By: LAXMI NARAYAN NAYAK – Perception can be deceptive and illusory from any developmental perspective. It is more meaningful when directed toward the upliftment of the vulnerable gender in society, namely the girl child. Girls are subjected to various atrocities and stereotypical subjugation. They are often seen as the epitome of sacrifice in the quest…
Kuliana Revisited: Unravelling the Mysteries of Prehistoric Site of Mayurbhanj, Odisha
By: MANU NAIK, BASANTA KUMAR MOHANTA, DEBABRATA NANDI, BINEET KUMAR NAYAK, TANISHA DAS MOHAPATRA – This paper presents the findings from revisits to the prehistoric site of Kuliana, the first excavated Palaeolithic site in India (Bose & Sen, 1948), and its neighboring sites in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. The study reports the exploration and…
Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Recalled Age at Menarche: A Cross-sectional Study Among Young Female Bengali Population
By: SUDDHAA GHOSAL, ROHAN DAS – The timing of menarche, a key event in female reproductive health, is influenced by complex interactions among hormonal, environmental, and genetic factors. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between reported age at menarche and the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), a proxy for prenatal hormonal exposure, in 85 females aged…
From Paddy to Pasture: Chiranbal’s Gujjar-Bakkarwals and the Cash-for-Grazing Revolution
By: RASHID AHMAD RATHER – This paper examines how traditional grazing arrangements in Chiranbal, Kashmir, have shifted from barter to cash payments. By analyzing contracts from 2015to 2023 and conducting ethnographic fieldwork, we document that Gujjar-Bakkarwal herders now receive ₹150–200 per sheep per month, replacing historical exchanges of wool and ghee. The study shows that…
Ethnomedical Practices among the Sangtam Naga of Tuensang Town, Nagaland
By: THERI SANGTAM, ROBERT ANGKANG SHIMRAY – This study examines the ethnomedical practices of the Sangtam Naga community in Tuensang Town, Nagaland, from a medical anthropology perspective. Based on 23 days of fieldwork, the research records 23 plant-based and 9 animal-based remedies used in traditional healing. Informed by theories of medical pluralism, ecological anthropology, and…
Rock-cut Images and Sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses in North Guwahati: An Anthropological Study
By: NAYANIKA DAS – North Guwahati, located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, is a region rich in historical, cultural, and religious significance. The area is home to several important temples and shrines dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses, as well as a wide range of rock-cut sculptures and images of…
From Boas to Tangent Space: Comparing Legacy and Modern Coordinate Systems in Evolutionary Anthropology
Boas Coordinates, Bookstein coordinates, Geometric morphometrics, Procrustes Coordinates, Shape analysisBy: RITWIK BANERJEE – This study compares legacy and modern coordinate systems used in shape analysis, evaluating their impact on morphometric outcomes using a Homo naledi third metacarpal (MC3). Nine fixed landmarks were placed along the palmar curvature of a Homo naledi MC3 (MorphoSource ID: 0000S2122). Thirty specimens were simulated by applying small positional noise…
Symbolic Parallels between Gondi Tattooing Art and Harappan Cultural Motifs: A Study of Continuity and Heritage
By: RAJ KUMAR VERMA, HARI SHANKAR KUMAR – Gondi tattooing, also known as Godna, is a vital cultural and spiritual practice deeply rooted in the lives of the Gond tribe, one of India’s largest indigenous communities. This research examines the symbolic parallels between Gondi tattoo motifs and the iconography of the Harappan (Indus Valley) civilisation.…
The Spatial Distribution of Undernutrition among Young Children in West Bengal: A Report from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), India
By: SK ANAMUL HOQUE, MD ANISUJJAMAN, SADARUDDIN BISWAS – Proper nutrition is essential for every child and at every stage of human development. A malnourished child is likely to experience various illnesses and mental health issues and may also face early death. Even after seventy-five years of independence, child malnutrition remains a significant challenge in…
The Wanwun: Folk Music as Social Commentary in Contemporary Kashmir
By: RASHID AHMAD RATHER – This study examines a Kashmiri folk song tradition called Wanwun. Wanwun are songs sung by women, usually during joyful occasions such as weddings. However, these songs are not just for entertainment. We analyzed modern Wanwun songs to uncover their hidden meanings. We found that people use these songs to express…
Factors Determining Changes in Livelihoods: A Study of the Lodha Tribe in Mayurbhanj District, Odisha
By: RAJNARAYAN MOHANTY, BASANTA KUMAR MOHANTA – The livelihood of a tribal community is always closely connected to nature and natural elements. Several factors are responsible for bringing both positive and negative effects to the livelihood of tribal people by influencing this alignment. The Lodhas are considered one of the most disadvantaged communities among the…
Challenges Faced by Marine Fishing Communities in West Bengal, India: Insights from a Social-Anthropological Pilot Study
By: SUSMITA MAITY – The coastal towns where fishing communities are located are significant for the region’s economy and culture; however, they face numerous problems, such as ecosystem damage, resource depletion, and economic stress caused by the massive influx of tourists. This study is a modest attempt to investigate the demographics and social structure of…
The Extent and the Influencing Factors of Diarrhoea Among Children in India (NFHS-5)
By: PRIYANKA PAUL – Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries such as India. Several factors, including socio-demographic, socio-economic, and habitational factors, are associated with the prevalence of diarrhea. The study reveals that the eastern and western regions are hot spot zones for childhood diarrhea prevalence in…
Reviews/Recensioni:Sukhadeo Thorat & S. Verma Social Science Research in India
By: GANESH HARIRAMANA J. –