Tribal Knowledge Systems

This book delineates tribal knowledge systems and emphasizes their multidisciplinary nature. It describes their different components such as the science behind tribal art and architecture, medicinal and healing systems, agricultural and nutritional aspects, and ways of human-nature coherence. It highlights the importance of preservation and promotion of these knowledge systems to create a sustainable world.

The book explains the structure and functions of tribal knowledge systems that have the potential to create a balance between nature and development. It describes the various approaches to traditional lifestyles and the conversion of those approaches into modern science and technology-based theories. It also outlines the policy framework developed by the government and the suite of legal instruments for preserving and promoting these knowledge systems in more scientific and applicable ways.

This book will be useful to the students, researchers, and academicians working on tribal studies, indigenous knowledge systems, anthropology, sociology, tribal studies, development studies, cultural studies, and human/cultural and social geography.

Debanjana Nag is a Faculty Member at Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh, India. She is also the Nodal Officer for the Dr Ambedkar Centre of Excellence (DACE), a scheme started by the Ministry of Social Justice, Government of India, for providing free Civil Services coaching to the Scheduled Caste and marginalized students in the university. She completed her PhD in the year 2022 from the Centre for Development Studies, University of Allahabad, India. Her specialization is in globalization, culture, and marginalized groups like women and tribes. Previously, she was engaged as a Research Associate at Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute, Prayagraj. During her research period, she has also worked on various projects as a research assistant for different national-level bodies such as the National Commission for Women and the National Child Labour Project in Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, India. She also worked as a National Level Monitor for the evaluation of government schemes under the Ministry of Rural Development and Sanitation, such as MNREGA (rural employment program) and PMAY (housing and sanitation program). To date, she has published chapters in edited books, various research papers in both English and Hindi, and has also done some translation and transcription work for the Hindi journal Samajikee, published by Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute, Prayagraj. She also has expertise in four languages: Hindi, English, Bengali, and Assamese.

Kusum is currently working as Assistant Professor at Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh, Vizianagaram since December 2022. She has previously worked at GNA University, Phagwara from July 2018 to December 2022, where she was engaged in teaching and research in the field of travel and tourism, and served as Assistant Editor of the GNA Journal of Management and Technology. She has also worked at Bahra University, Solan, and Chandigarh University, Mohali (Punjab). She holds a PhD in Tourism Management, an MPhil in Tourism Management, an MBA in Hospitality Management, and a Master’s in Tourism Management (MTM) from Kurukshetra University. She has a blend of industry and teaching experience. She worked with the renowned brand in the tourism industry Cox & Kings (I) Ltd. from December 2004 to May 2010. Her areas of interest include travel and tourism management, tour operations, tourism resources, sustainable tourism, and tourism marketing. She has published research papers in various national and international journals. She has also attended and presented papers at various seminars, conferences, and workshops. She has also guided PhD research scholars.