The Birhor of India and Some Comments on Band Organization

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Abstract
This chapter explains a particular approach to the study of hunting-gathering groups and describes why this is used by a person whose primary interests are in physical anthropology. It discusses data on a particular group, the Birhor of India, who became a subject of investigation in the pursuit of these interests. The chapter explores some implications of such a view of hunting-gathering society. Birhors live in an area that has been inhabited by tribal agriculturalists for a very long period of time. During the past ioo-plus years, the area has also seen a large influx and growth of population of Hindu and Muslim agriculturalists who now far outnumber the tribal population. The Birhor band is composed of relatives, and an individual can normally visit other bands only in which he has relatives. The ability to visit another band also implies the potential of being able to join that band on a more permanent basis.

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