International Journal of History

Author(s): Gourimani Naik and Sishir Kumar Tripathy

Abstract: This paper examines the socio-cultural change and changing patterns of livelihoods in Gond tribe of Odisha in eastern India. The Gond community, which represents one of the largest and the oldest tribal communities in the area has always had a symbiotic relationship with nature both in terms of cultural livelihood through agrarian subsistence forest based activity as well as a well-established cultural heritage. Nonetheless, with the influences of formal education, development of infrastructural networks, government welfare programs, forced removal of settlements through the mining process, exposure to market based economies, modernity has brought up a radical change in the socio-economic structure of the tribe. Basing the study on critical analysis the paper explains how the external forces have destroyed the traditional jobs, promoted the shift to wage earner, urban migration and commoditization of tribal art and traditional handicraft. Education has also played part to the dilution of the indigenous knowledge systems, language preservation and rituals. The research is set in the mixed approach and concentrates on the agency of tribal youth and women, which turn out to be more and more important actors in processes of adaptation and innovation. The paper also gives the reflection of how such changes are likely to impact cultural identity, community cohesion and inter-generational transfer of knowledge. One factor that has contributed to the resilience of bridge building process of the Gond tribe is their capacity to re-define cultural processes and a feeling of belonging about the evolving socio-economic circumstances.

DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2025.v7.i12a.577

Pages: 04-09 | Views: 40 | Downloads: 22

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