Culture of Indian Tribes/edited by S.P. Sharma and J.B. Sharma. 1998, 2 vols., 783 p., $79 (set).
Contents: Vol. I. Concept and Identity: Preface. I. Concept of culture: 1. Conceiving culture. 2. History of cultural anthropology. 3. Phases of development. 4. Technological concept of culture. II. Cultural dimension of Indian tribes: 1. History of tribes. 2. Concept and definition of tribes. 3. Tribal through the ages and their aboriginality. 4. Researches on tribal culture. 5. Demographic aspects of the tribals. 6. Linguistic classification. 7. Classification based on levels of integration. III. Situation, contact and integration of tribal culture: 1. Colonial scenario. 2. Post-independent phase. 3. Cultural contact and integration. 4. Integration: a complex phenomenon. 5. Rites-de-passage and the round of life. 6. Tribal mother and taboos. 7. The birth, the pollution period and the naming ceremony. 8. Socialization of tribal individual. 9. Cultural cognition and ethnoscience. 10. Cultural encounter with the modern. 11. Pertinent issues in tribal culture. IV. Cultural contact and social bondage: 1. The Sagri system. 2. The Bhil Sowkar relationship. 3. Damor culture. 4. Sehariyas culture. 5. Culture of Ladakhi.
Vol. II. Ethnicity and Ecology: Preface. I. Identification of tribal ethnicity: 1. Concept of identity. 2. Time and identity. 3. Tribal consciousness. 4. Validity of ancestral languages. 5. Political response to linguistic heterogeneity. 6. The Saga of alliance and hostilities. 7. Language attitude. 8. Maintenance of ethnic boundaries. 9. Interaction of ethnic groups. 10. Ethnocide and ethnic identity. 11. Ethnicity and nationality. 12. The changing contexts of life style. 13. Culture of silence. 14. Linguistic consequences of ethnicity. II. Social contact and cultural interaction: 1. Rights and conflicts. 2. The Oraon. 3. The Munda. 4. The Chero. 5. The Pahariya. 6. Inter-community relations. 7. Structure of social control. 8. The Santhal. III. Myths of tribes and tribalism: 1. Integration of culture. 2. Myth and rituals. 3. Component of life. 4. Mysteries. 5. Sexual diction. 6. Dialogues. 7. Ritualistic symbol. 8. Women. 9. Dance and music. 10. Arts and crafts. 11. Ceremonial hunting. 12. Funerary pillars. 13. Personal decoration and ornamentation. 14. Tattooing. 15. Present conditions and conclusions. 16. Cultural behaviour. 17. Personal hygiene. 18. Personal care and decoration. 19. Trade and transport. 20. Music, folk songs and folk dances. IV. Cultural evolution of tribal ecology: 1. Cultural ecology. 2. Environment and tribes. 3. Eco-culture. 4. Socio-cultural life. 5. Ecological changes and linguistic. Bibliography.
"The present title Culture of Indian Tribes in two volumes is a comprehensive study of tribal ethnicity and evolution of tribal eco-culture. First volume "Concept and identity" of this title deals with the theory, concept and dimension of culture, cultural interaction between tribes and non-tribes and its impact on socio-economic life. Second volume "Ethnicity and ecology" gives a critical analysis of identification of tribal ethnicity, social contact and cultural interaction in changing scenario, myths of tribes and tribalism and evolution of tribal eco-culture." (jacket)