Socio-cultural Variables and Biological Determinants of Human Fertility in a Primitive Tribal Community – an Empirical Study among the Mankirdias of Orissa, India

This is an endeavor to study the plausible causal socio-cultural variable and biological pathways influencing human fertility among the remotely located primitive tribal community of Orissa. The present paper deals with the fertility of 156 Mankirdia women. Efforts are made to study the biological determinants and societal factors affecting fertility. The observation of fertility gives an impression that though the mean age at marriage is low, the average fertility of the women is 3.24. Prolonged breastfeeding and prevalence of widespread traditional contraception methods are identified as responsible factors affecting the fertility of the present population. Hence, trends of fertility need to be monitored regularly and appropriate measures should be taken to raise the status of women.