http://hdl.handle.net/10037/151 2012-02-12T06:32:04Z http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3688 Pyzhova, Anna<br /> The thesis focuses on the identity of an unrecognized, small-numbered people in the northwestern part of Russia– the Pomor people (or Pomory). The thesis will examine the history of this group and how they came to be ‘fragmented’ from the main identity-forming process of the central Russian nation from the ninth to the 21st centuries. Using fieldwork materials, the thesis will present which identity markers are presented by Pomor activists today to support their claim for recognition. It will also analyze the main aspects of Russian national policies towards minority and indigenous groups. The thesis will examine why people in post-Soviet Russia are searching for a different type of identity structure that goes beyond citizenship. And how and why a fragmentation of identity occurs. The thesis further reflects on the difficulties and advantages of analyzing one’s own culture.<br /> 2011-09-30T22:00:00Z Pyzhova, Anna http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3538 Islam, Md. Rakibul<br /> Maternal health of indigenous people is poorer than the non-indigenous people across the world which is also true in the Bangladesh context. However, little research has been done among indigenous people in Bangladesh. As a result, the present study was conducted among the Mru indigenous people to comprehend their maternal health status and the factors associated with it. The study was carried out in three upazilas (administrative sub-districts) namely Alikadam, Lama and Thanchi of the Bandarban district and a part of CHT, the south-eastern part of Bangladesh where most of the Mru people live. In this research, a mixed method approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods, was employed. A total of 374 currently married women having at least one child aged less than five years old or women having at least one delivery experience were interviewed purposively from three upazilas. On the other hand, a total of 26 in-depth interviews were conducted among people from different stratas of the Mru community from those three upazilas. Finally, the collected data was presented using uni-variate, bi-variate and multivariate analyses. The study showed that maternal health was poor among the Mru women and less than one-third of the Mru women had access to health care services which might be one of the key reasons for their poor health. Their access to maternal health care services was beyond geographical, linguistic, cultural and economic reach. By and large, the major problems and complications Mru women faced during their pregnancy, delivery and after delivery were headache, blurry vision, high blood pressure, cough or fever, excess vomiting tendency, morning sickness, excessive hemorrhage, obstructed labour, prolonged labour, eclampsia, premature rupture of membrane, anemia, post-partum hemorrhage, perineal tears and swelling of the legs and body. The study also revealed that one out of every nine women visited for antenatal care while only one out of sixteen women visited for postnatal care in the Mru society. More than half of the respondents reported that they did not receive any antenatal or postnatal care due to the long distance to the service center as well as lack of transportation facilities. The study also demonstrated that delivery care and current use of contraception were also low among the Mru mothers as compared to xiii Bengali mothers. Almost all deliveries were home-based deliveries assisted by traditional midwives. About forty per cent of the respondents have heard of family planning methods and only one-fourth of them were current users of contraceptives. The factors associated with low antenatal and postnatal cares and contraception use were age, mothers’ education and occupation, husbands’ education and occupation, religion, place of residence, place of service provided in the locality, distance of the service centers and exposure to mass media of radio, television and newspaper. Maternal mortality also seemed to be higher in the community due to the delivery practices done by the traditional midwives. Traditional beliefs and practices after delivery were also responsible for their high deaths rate. This high maternal morbidity and mortality rate in the Mru society was interwoven with multiple factors that could be classified into three major aspects. First, socio- economic and cultural factors were functioning through their effect on the Mru mothers. Secondly, spatial factors which include geographic settings and proximity and road infrastructure was one of the significant constraints to access to health care services resulting in poor health. Finally, clinical factors that consist of every aspect of obstetric knowledge and education of both women and midwives and availability of care were totally absent in the society. This maternal morbidity and mortality was somewhat consistent with the historic experiences of western countries in seventeenth and eighteenth century. The present study is concluded with urgent requests for implementation of special health care strategies. For instance, the development of obstetric care and maternal health programs, replacement of existing traditional midwives by well-trained midwives, community-based collaborative strategy and most importantly to train the young Mru girls as midwives, particularly those that are bilingual and educated. Along with this significant strategy, socioeconomic development, Mru language- based maternal health education and family planning programs with a special emphasis on awareness through mass media may have a significant influence on maternal health status of the Mru community.<br /> 2010-05-30T22:00:00Z Islam, Md. Rakibul http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3481 Qoricho, Yonas Tafesse<br /> This thesis dealt with the land rights of women in rural areas of Wolaita Zone, southwestern Ethiopia by taking the case of rural women in Soddo Zuria District. Three questions were thus posed: How do the current modern rural land law and the Wolaita traditional/customary law ascertain the land rights of rural women in SZD? What kind of land rights do rural women enjoy in practice in SZD? What challenges are faced while implementing the land rights of rural women in the district? In order to answer these questions, data was collected from oral and written sources. The qualitative data analysis informs that the Wolaita traditional/customary law has allowed land access to rural women only through marriage until 2005. After the adoption of the 2007 Rural Land Administration and Use Proclamation by the SNNPR (based on the 1995 FDRE’s Constitution and FRLAUP 2005), the land use rights of women is legally acknowledged in SZD. In practice, married women in monogamous and polygamous marriages are awarded joint landholding certificates together with their husbands. Moreover, women household heads are given landholding certificates independently. However, the participation of women’s organizations in the land registration and certification program and their representation in LACs is completely lacking in SZD. In order to improve the legally recognized women’s rights and their property rights (including land), the thesis recommends that women and men as well as traditional leaders need to be thoroughly exposed to the legal documents through consciousness-raising campaigns. Women also need to get free legal services from state institutions. In addition, the regional government needs to commit itself to promote and institutionalize women’s rights through awareness-raising and sensitization of the judiciary, district courts, district land administration experts, village administration heads, and LACs.<br /> 2011-05-14T22:00:00Z Qoricho, Yonas Tafesse http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3471 Das, Smritikana<br /> Indigenous land access in Bangladesh is limited at local levels as well as national levels, since indigenous peoples have no political recognition and documentary evidence provided by the government. The present research attempts to uncover the level of indigenous people’s land access on what is believed to be their informally inherited common property. It deals with the history of land access of the Santal people in different periods, from early ages to present day, and at a glance gives some geographical perspectives on land access in the northern-belt of Bangladesh. Practical questions according to an in-depth inquiry, along with snow-ball sampling accompanied by available secondary data on Santal people’s land access have been analyzed to uncover some reasons for this land loss. This study also endeavors to analyze some consequences regarding the problematic land access of the present period marked by disputes between the government and indigenous communities. The study also explores trends of protest by indigenous peoples in order to reclaim their access to land. The study shows that indigenous people’s access to land has highly fluctuated throughout different periods, escalating in the post-independence time and taking a critical shape at present. External and internal complexities inter alia complicated government procedures, indigenous peoples’ limited understanding on land ownership, political manipulation, majority-minority conflict, and language barriers have caused major discriminations for the Santal people in achieving their expected access to land. As a result of problematic land access, mass poverty and continuing social complexities have degraded living conditions in indigenous communities, particularly in Santal areas of Bangladesh. The study suggests that indigenous people’s protest and revolt against the oppressions may become fruitful if concerted initiatives are taken at individual, national, community and non-governmental levels.<br /> 2011-06-14T22:00:00Z Das, Smritikana http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3448 Silwal, Manisha<br /> This thesis entitled “MATERNAL HEALTH CARE PRACTICE AMONG INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF NEPAL: Case Study of The Raute Community” tends to highlight on the use of traditional knowledge by the Raute people during the three stages of maternal period. The Rautes are regarded as one of the endangered Nomadic indigenous group. For the study, a locality named Satokhani and Pamka of Surkhet distric in Bheri Zone of Nepal, in which the Raute group had recently been migrated from Dadeldhura district. Maternal health care encompasses the health of a woman during three stages of maternity. This study recount experiences around pregnancy, childbirth and after childbirth of the Raute mother and tends to draw attention towards some of the complications and problems faced by the Raute mothers. This study shows that complications like, miscalculation of due date, problem in delivering baby, even the death of baby and different types of illness after the delivery have been facing by the Raute women. The study has been conducted in order to identify the reason behind the Raute women not getting modern health facility. Two different reasons can be draw in this study. The first and for most reason of devoid of modern maternal health is the rejection of Raute people to utilize any kind of things which will connect them with outer world. The next reason can be the inability of Government of Nepal to deliver such services that ILO convention and Un Declaration has addressed.<br /> 2011-06-14T22:00:00Z Silwal, Manisha http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3006 Dangol, Niraj<br /> This thesis tends to highlight on the traditional social organization being practiced by the Newar people of Kathmandu valley of Nepal since the ancient times. Newar people are regarded as the indigenous population of Nepal inhabiting the Kathmandu valley since the pre-historic times. For the study, a locality named Panga of Kirtipur city has been chosen which is inhabited mainly by the Jyapu castes of Newar people who are traditionally agriculturists according to the caste division formed during the 14th century. Guthi, the traditional social organization, can be classified into various categories according to their functionalities among which, Sana Guthi is regarded most popular and the important one. Among the various functions performed by the Sana Guthi, death rituals are regarded extremely important from religious as well as social point of view. During death, numerous religious rituals have to be conducted properly by the family as well as Sana Guthi in order to ensure the soul to rest in peace. Not only death rituals, various religious festivals also have to be conducted by the Sana Guthi. In this study, two of such festivals conducted by Shree Bhairabnath Ta: Guthi of Panga have been studied in details. The study has been conducted in relation to modernization; for which the changes that have occurred or occurring these days have also been observed closely. Impacts of modernization are leading to the change of such rituals. Not only rituals, modernization is leading the whole society towards a new dimension. So, basically this study aims to identify the impacts of modernization on Newar communities and such traditional social organizations being practiced by them.<br /> 2010-10-31T23:00:00Z Dangol, Niraj http://hdl.handle.net/10037/2965 Braut, Kristine Tjåland<br /> This thesis is a research of Indigenous language revitalization through preschool children in a language nest. When families cannot themselves provide the language, as are mostly the case in Tysfjord, this language nest strengthens and activates the language. I question to what degree preschool children can contribute to strengthening of an endangered language through acquiring it as a second language outside the home. Children gain good competence to understand and use the language, but it’s still important to take the language more into use, not only between children and employees, but to bring the language home and get it more into free play. The children do observe factors as that the parents and employees communicate together and choose another language. There should ideally be more focus on language-interactions between employees and parents. The status quo is indicative of institutionalizing the language. Parent support is needed to prevent a” daycare language” that is spoken “because they tell me to”. This is a challenge since the parents’ generation themselves has not learned the language or has a stigmatized attitude against speaking it. The language nest is a good foundation to possibility hear and practically use the language daily, but I question if the language nest is a strength when I heard the expression; I don`t speak because it’s the weekend”<br /> 2010-11-21T23:00:00Z Braut, Kristine Tjåland http://hdl.handle.net/10037/2929 Ciocîrlie, Elena Mirona<br /> My work of cultural analysis is a labyrinth for cultural understanding and mediation. At work are the disciplines and trends of analysis - cultural, historical and legal-, the minotaurs. ''Cultural Mediation. A Case Study of Sami Research'' is the nest of a magpie with bits and pieces gathered in a mixed style, interdisciplinary, translating the oral tradition of the academic lectures in the lanscape of the Sami and Norwegian geo-political and economic landscape. The argumentative talks between the students and the lecturers in the Programme, on the methodology used in the Indigenous Studies Programme at the University of Tromsoe, as shared by both well-established academic fields and newly emerged fields such as Indigenous Studies, allowed the room for developing this style and discussion on and of old and new texts and performative acts, artistic qualities imbeded, and differences underlined or merged. The personae, Ande Somby and Henry Minde, as discussed in the paper are only discursive instances and fabulae of their written and performed acts. I apologise for any discrepancy, wrong or missing reference, which might interfere with the conventions of the academic writing in the text - they were possibly left out due to the economy of a Master thesis (as opposed to a PhD thesis, for example) of time, money and experience, and especially of time. The thesis contains four parts: 1. Introduction - discussing the research problem, 2. Theory and Methodology - stating the definitions used for concepts employed in the thesis, such as ''discourse'', ''ethics'', ''autobiography'', ''political and juridical indigenous discourse'', ''symbolic action'', 3. Ande Somby: ''Some Hybrids of the Legal Situation on the Sami People in Norway'' - discussion of Ande's project as artistic manifestation, performativity, cultural mediation, 4. Henry Minde: ''Assimilation of the Sami-Implementation and Consequances'' - history writing and the Sami political changes, staging as discursive mode, Norwegianisation strategies, state institutions, Sami community, assimilation stages, ''voice'' as discursive strategy.<br /> 2005-06-05T22:00:00Z Ciocîrlie, Elena Mirona http://hdl.handle.net/10037/2739 Dalsbø, Elisabeth Thørring<br /> The Mushuau Innu is a First Nation group who have gone from a nomadic lifestyle in the interior of Labrador to a sedentary lifestyle on the coast since their first contact with European colonizers. The Mushuau Innu has gone through three relocations in a time period of 55 years; the first move was in 1948 to the Inuit community of Nutak further north, and the second in 1967 to Utshimassit (Davis Inlet) on Iluikoyak Island, where they for the first time were to live in houses. In 2003, over thirty years after settling in Utshimassit the Mushuau Innu relocated from Utshimassit to Natuashish. The aim of this thesis is to find out the background for, and if the Innu were consulted about the relocations. Also it aims to find out if the Innu were active or passive in regards to the decision making process. This thesis argues that the Innu were relocated in 1948 and settled in 1967 based on the assimilation policy, while the last relocation was part of the general political mobilization of Aboriginal peoples. It also argues that the Mushuau Innu have made conscious decisions in regards to all three relocations, although the alternatives might have been few or none and based on false assumptions.<br /> 2010-05-27T22:00:00Z Dalsbø, Elisabeth Thørring http://hdl.handle.net/10037/2689 Kim, Jung Im<br /> This thesis discusses Coastal identities in the modern age - the case of Storfjord in Northern Norway as studied in 2009. Populations in the coastal areas of Northern Norway are more or less a mixture of Coastal Sami, Kven and Norwegian. Historically, it might be analyzed as some results of the encounters of three ethnic groups; the Coastal Sami, Kven and Norwegian historically. Therefore, there is a natural tendency to choose a “both–and” ethnicity. However, the Coastal Sami and Kven experienced the worst form of the Norwegianization policy until the last century. The Coastal Sami and Kven ethnicity were often stereotyped as a stigmatized ethnic identity or just inferior. The mixed ethnic population in Northern Norway was therefore integrated into the Norwegian mainstream. My thesis brings out the contemporary changes among them. I observed the different ethnic identifications among the mixed population in Storfjord. I analyzed them in three categories: Category 1 termed “the North Calotte Cocktail” and “Northerner (Nordlending in Norwegian)” group. Category 2 is the group who chose the single ethnic identity as Sami instead of Northern Norwegian. Category 3 comprises of those who claim double/multiple ethnicity instead of Northern Norwegian. Furthermore, this thesis includes how these different ethnic identifications are influencing Sami ethnic revitalization and their mechanisms for strengthening their new identity.<br /> 2010-05-14T22:00:00Z Kim, Jung Im