The Beria (Rai Dancers): A Socio-Demographic, Reproductive and Child Health Care Practices Profile

The present book is a product of intensive fieldwork conducted among the Berias of Loohari (Hawala) Gram Panchayat of Rahatgarh Block of Sagar District of Madhya Pradesh, India. Most of the women of this community are traditionally involved in prostitution and Rai dance. Beria women, known as Berani, are the village dancing girls are employed to give performance in could weather especially at the Holi festival and other occasions like marriage, etc. Where they dance the whole night through, fortified by continuous of liquor. This dance is called “Rai”, accompanied by most obscene songs and gestures. The present study is conducted among the Beria women, who engaged in prostitution. The objective of the study is to assess the Reproductive and Child Health Care practices among the Berias, Loohai (Hawla) Gram Panchayat of Rahatgarh. The authors highlight the Socio-demographic, Reproductive and Child Health Care practices, Source of Income and Living Standard, Problems and Solutions of Prostitution, Environmental Sanitation, Sanitary Habits and Personal Hygiene, Fertility Aspects, Morbidity and Mortality, Indigenous Health Practices, Antenatal Care and Delivery Health Practices, Dietary Habits, Feeding Practices and Child Immunization, Utilization of Health and Family Welfare Services, etc. The book contains fifteen chapters; in which approximate twelve different aspects of Berias life have been covered. In view of its multidisciplinary nature, the book is unique, would be of immense help and use to general readers, academicians, socio-cultural anthropologists, medical anthropologists and researchers.