Human / Nature Interaction

Human / Nature Interaction
Utility of culture and ecology in the identification of an unknown
group “Dhankut” of district Bahraich of India.
Alok Chantia
Keywords – Culture, ecology, adaptability, marriage, rituals, customs, Dhankut.
Abstract – Culture is the total way of life of a man, which is associated with the
concerned environment where an individual or group is living. In case of Dhankut of
Bahraich district, it is not true because in the Indian government records they are not
listed anywhere and no literature about them is available. They are not under any caste
(caste being the main base of the Indian society) and they are not taken under any such
group, which is protected by the Indian government. In this regard, Dhankut of India is
only a group of population without any social identity. Their origin and history was not
easy to know, but during my research work for their socio-cultural profile this fact came
into light. The minute observation of rituals and customs may give a clue to their origin
because all these factors are concerned with ecology, and the process and the content of
the marriage of the Dhankut give much valuable information about their ecology. This
will helpful in locating their position in the Indian caste system.
The paper shows all the cultural factors, which can produce ecological evidence in the
identification of a group and helps to know the reality of the group.
Utility of culture and ecology in the identification of an unknown group “Dhankut” of district Bahraich of India.
Alok Chantia
Keywords – Culture, ecology, adaptability, marriage, rituals, customs, Dhankut.
Abstract – Culture is the total way of life of a man, which is associated with the
concerned environment where an individual or group is living. In case of Dhankut of
Bahraich district, it is not true because in the Indian government records they are not
listed anywhere and no literature about them is available. They are not under any caste
(caste being the main base of the Indian society) and they are not taken under any such
group, which is protected by the Indian government. In this regard, Dhankut of India is
only a group of population without any social identity. Their origin and history was not
easy to know, but during my research work for their socio-cultural profile this fact came
into light. The minute observation of rituals and customs may give a clue to their origin
because all these factors are concerned with ecology, and the process and the content of
the marriage of the Dhankut give much valuable information about their ecology. This
will helpful in locating their position in the Indian caste system.
The paper shows all the cultural factors, which can produce ecological evidence in the
identification of a group and helps to know the reality of the group.