Title: Socio-economic changes of the Lodha Tribes in the era of Globalization: A study in the tribal villages of the Jangalmahal
Authors: Madhumita Setua, Dr Sajijul Islam
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v9i1.44
Abstract
The Lodha Tribes carry a unique culture among the tribal people of the West Bengal. They are one of the three tribes of West Bengal who belong to the Primitive tribal group. Sometimes they have known as Kheria or Shabar people. They live in many districts of West Bengal but the Jangalmahal areas of the Bankura (4.2%), Purulia (3.0%), and Medinipur (undivided, 43.1%) districts they are more numerous. Now they work as farmers and laborers, but earlier their main livelihood was collecting and hunting from the jungle. As a result of globalization and the decline of the jungle, their society has undergone many changes. The main purpose of this paper is to discuss what has changed in their society, culture, economy, and lifestyle as a result of globalization. And also analyze the impact of globalization on their rituals, customs, dressing patterns, and occupations. Recently it has been noticed that non-tribal impact is very much increasing in the Lodha society. Gradually they are falling into the trap of craving for the objects of consumerism. Their material needs have increased, but poverty has not declined. As a result, many antisocial acts and other disasters are appearing in their society. They are suffering from illness due to drinking alcohol, malnutrition and moral degradation. Again, with globalization, some positive things have happened in their society. With this, their marginality has decreased. More children of them are now joining with education, health services have improved and knowledge about the equipment/ gadgets has increased.
Keywords: Lodha, Tribe, Globalization, Culture, Life-style, Economy, Jangalmahal.
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