The present volume deals with the patterns and processes of change and continuity, taking place among the Idiga (Toddy-Tappers), one of the backward communities of Andhra Pradesh, following the conventional anthropological concepts. The caste has the monopoly over the occupation of tapping palm trees and also of selling fermented juice and has admirably succeeded in continuing the occupation. The Idiga have rehabilitated themselves as agricultural labourers after the introduction of prohibition of sale of liquor by the government. The recent relaxation of prohibition laws and the permission granted by the government to sell sweet ‘toddy’ (nira) has made a few of them to return to their traditional occupation of toddy-tapping. However, many of them who had white-collor jobs and petty business establishments have stayed away from their traditional occupation. The modern forces of change have affected their socio-economic and politico-religious life. They have Sanskritized their ways of life too. They are associated with little and great traditional religious practices. Changes in their value system and outlook on life was also observed. The book consists of eight chapters with a few relevant maps and charts, tables and a detailed bibliography. The book is quite useful at post-graduate and research levels in the disciplines of social sciences, particularly in anthropology and sociology.
There are no reviews yet.