An Observation of Arm-folding among Dhankut of district

An Observation of Arm-folding among Dhankut of district
Bahraich (U.P.)
Alok Chantia
Homo sapiens are living in different parts of the world with special physical features,
which categorizes them into many races. Many physical traits make them different from
each other. Arm folding is also one of the physical patterns which is found different from
one population to another. The pattern of arm-folding is genetically controlled. It is of
two types. In the first, the right arm occupies the upper position over that of left and such
persons are called R-type, while in the second, the left arm occupies the upper position
over that of right and person is called L-type. This phenomenon shows a considerable
variability in different population.
This trait is passing through a transition phase, no adequate conclusion regarding its
utility has so far been drawn, except showing interpolation and sexual variation. A series
of work on arm-fold has been done by various scholars in different parts of the world and
including many Indian populations - Freire-Maia and Almeida (1966), Chatopadhyaya
(1968 and 1970), Singh and Malhotra (1971), Swaraparani (1971), Sambasiva (1971),
Veeraju and Satyanarayan (1972), T.V. Rao and Reddy (1973), Jitendra Singh (1975).
The present paper deals with the manner of arm-folding in an isolated endogamous group
of Dhankut of district Bahraich. Their population is 2687. Cross-cousin and parallel
cousin marriage give them special status in urban society. Bahraich district lies between
the latitudes 27004' and 28024' North and the longitudes 81003' and 82013' East. The
territory of Nepal from the village of Bandrahiga Gaurhi near Bharatpur in the north to
the boundary of district Gonda bound it on the north and northeast. In social stratification,
Dhankut’s position is still unknown, they are not listed in SC/ST/OBC and even in the
main castes. They are basically traders (wood-sellers, cereal exchange).