Economy, Livelihood, and Cultural Continuity among the Birjia: An Ethnographic Study from Jharkhand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54741/SSJAR/6.3.2026.360Keywords:
birjia, livelihood, tribal economy, cultural continuity, cultural ecologyAbstract
This paper analyses the livelihood practices, economic activities like traditional and modern, and related cultural continuity of the Birjia tribe of Jharkhand. This study examines the development and changes from forest-dependent livelihoods to diverse areas like daily wage labor, forest labor, garden laborers, state-sponsored initiatives, and agriculture. Despite their increased integration into various economic activities, the Birjia maintain a strong connection to their culture. They also face government schemes and social and ecological hurdles to their livelihood. This paper will also explore the complex relationship between adaptation, acceptance, and continuity for the economy and livelihood.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Vivek Kumar, Prof. (Dr.) Rabindranath Sarma
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