MUSAHARS: A NOBLE PEOPLE, A RESILIENT CULTURE

Musahars: a Noble People, a Resilient Culture attempts a deep study of the cultural life of the Musahars, especially of Bihar, with extensive field work. It is an ethnographic study of the Musahars, aiming at their liberation through a dialogical process between socio-economic development and cultural revolution. The book unravels the self-respect, resilience and tenacity of one of the most deprived communities in India, who in spite of abject poverty, ranks the lowest in terms of abortion, infanticide, prostitution, begging, crime, theft, etc. Their value system is a challenge to the economically rich communities in some part of the country where abortion, infanticide, son-preference, dowry death, etc., are rampant. This book will be of great interest to anthropologists in general, especially its methodology for studying any marginalized community. It will also help social activists who want to work for and work with the Musahars and similar communities towards their liberation. About the Author Fr. (Prof.) Tomy Nishaant, SJ is a Jesuit priest of the Patna Province of the Society of Jesus. He has been associated with the Musahar community since 1989. His ardent desire to work for the integral liberation of the Musahars impelled him to undertake a scientific study on the cultural life of the Musahars. Currently, he is the Principal of St Xavier’s College and St Xavier’s College of Management and Technology, Patna, Bihar, India.