Tribe in Transition

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This book focuses on the dynamics of change among Thakur Gonds of Central India. Because of their habitations in deep forests the Thakur Gonds have remained unexplored from the angle of their anthropological study.

Though change is taking place in all human societies, its sources and processes vary. Among Thakur Gonds two prominent sources and processes of change could be observed. These include Hinduization and the construction of a big Temple of Goddess Raj Rajeshwari in 1982. The construction of the temple was associated with the enhanced development activities in this region. Prior to these activities, the region was encapsulated in a thick jungle, rich in flora and fauna. People living in nearby townships looked down upon Thakur Gonds. They had certain misconceptions about these tribals and they used to address them as 'sorcerers', 'black magicians', "Rakshasas' etc. In fact, both the groups were living under the awe of each other due to xenophobia on the part of tribals and fear of the unknown combined with a dominating attitude on the part of the caste groups. This awe could be linked with mutual abhorrence between the two groups.

The sudden exposure to the Hindu culture accompanied with programmes of planned development enthused change in the socio-economic and socio- cultural life of Thakur Gonds. And this study reflects the same.

ANIMA SHARMA (b. 1963) holds her Master's and Doctorate degrees from Delhi University. Her interest in tribal studies developed while doing B.Sc. (Hons.) in Anthropology. Althrough Dr. Sharma sustained her research interest so well reflected through her involvement in various research projects. She has participated in several National and International Seminars and Workshops presenting papers based upon first-rate empiricism. Some of these were published in Journals and Books. Dr. Sharma has authored one book entitled, "Socio-Economic Development of Indian Tribes".

Her research ventures as a Social Anthropologist have been widely appreciated. Presently, Dr. Sharma is working as Consultant in Social Sector with focus on Health and Development.

Social change is an ubiquitous phenomenon going on in time S and space. It is a multi-farious, multi-dimensional, multi- faceted and multi-directional process, explained in numerous ways by various social scientists, social anthropologists and sociologists. The theories of these social scientists took into consideration various factors, sources and forces responsible for bringing change in a human social group or society -Urban, rural as well as tribal.

Society is an integrated structure consisting of several parts and sub parts, which are so arranged that those keep the system on- going. Change, due to extrenous or internal sources in any of these parts, sends repercussions to other parts in varying degrees depending upon various factors viz region of change, distance from the source of change and type of change etc. The human being, who is the basic unit of the social system, also plays an important role in the process of change. His ways of life and life-styles, which are guided by his culture, beliefs, traditions and value-system are the pivotal factors which play a major role in either accepting change or showing resistance against it. Hence, in change studies individual, as well as, entire social group have a significant place.

With the above mentioned perspectives, the focus of the present study is on the social change among the tribals known as Thakur Gonds, inhabiting the villages of block Gotegaon, district Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Thakur Gond are the lesser known sub-group of the widely spread and well known tribal group, Gonds. The Thakur Gonds were living in more or less isolation till few years back, when firstly the Hindu missionaries and then the planned development activities were launched in this area. These activities have accelerated since 1982, which is a very brief period in the long history of these Thakur Gonds [who also, call themselves as "Adivasi", "Vanvasi' or simply 'Gond'. Hence, these terms are interchangeably used for them in the present text]. Still, the impact of these activities are distinctly visible in their socio-cultural life. Therefore, an attempt has been made to study social change among them.

It gives me immense pleasure to write the foreword of this book. In fact I discovered a rich research potential in Dr. Anima Sharma when she was doing her Doctorate under my supervision. This scholarly publication is an outcome of her deep insight long intensive fieldwork and forceful interpretations. She earns a big credit for exploring tribal life and culture in remote forests of Central India.

Studies is social change have been carried out by many Sociologists and Social Anthropologists. But when differentiates them would depend upon the nature, intensity, sources, forces, direction and factors affecting the change. The present study exposes, at the level of social change, an unknown tribe inhabiting a remote locality in thick forests. Such a situation helped highlight uniqueness at the level of social change explanations. And the author has elaborately dealt the same in her deliberations. Because of newer explanations the social-cultural change studies, though complicated, never appear as stale. Some glimpse of new dimension is mostly there.

Various social change studies carried out during the last four decades do support that the change from within is nowhere as powerful as the change enforced from outside. Also the in-built barriers as well as stimulants to change are now far more explored than ever before. Target population is more considerate to innovations. Also the social and religious preachers have made a big headway, as is also strongly supported by this study. Simultaneously the social and ideological aspects of culture are now more responsive to proposed innovations. This study, while analyzing the material and non-material perspectives of culture is hinting at the some. Likewise changes in attitudinal and psychological frameworks speak of not only permanency of change but also of its deep implications. However in author's explanations empiricism weights heavier and abstractionism is on the lighter side.

**Contents and Sample Pages**