Indian tribal world is unique and least explored. There are 74 tribal groups which are identified as Primitive Tribal Groups, and Baiga is one of them. This book provides deep insight into the various socio-cultural aspects of the Baiga, a primitive tribe of Central India. Taking a close look at their history and population characteristics, it discusses at length their habitat, settlement patterns, dress and ornaments, material culture, livelihood practices, cultivation, means of transport and communication, and religious practices. The issue of tribal rights on forest and wild life conservation has also been addressed.

Contents: Introduction Village Settlement and Housing Patterns Population and History Appearance and Ornamentation Tattooing Material Culture Livelihood Practices Food Processing and Preservation Shifting Cultivation Transport and Communication Baigas and Biosphere Reserve: An Apathy Religion Marriage Epilogue Bibliography Index



Author Bio: Rajesh K. Gautam is Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Dr. H.S. Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.). He earned his Ph.D. degree from University of Delhi in 2006 on "Population Characteristics of Middle and High Altitude Kinnaura of Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India". Besides 34 research papers published in journals of national and international repute, he has to his credit 4 books and 5 book-chapters. Earlier he has worked in National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. His research areas include holistic anthropology with special focus on Demographic Anthropology, Human Growth and Nutrition, Genetics, etc. Also he has participated in various national/international seminars and workshops.