Research Article | Published: 31 March 2025

Traditional food habit of primitive Toto tribe of Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India- An ethnographic study

Debasmita Dutta Pramanick

Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products | Volume: 32 | Issue: 1 | Page No. 93-98 | 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2025-TOIE13 | Cite this article

Abstract

Traditional food habit of the ethnic communities are mostly dependent on natural resources which indicate societal identity of the particular indigenous group. The ‘Toto’s are one of the three Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of the state of West Bengal, India who owns their specific traditional culinary habit through generations. A standard questionnaire based interview was conducted among Toto people during field trip to Totopara village and primary data of food pattern were recorded. Beside simple foods taken daily, special dishes along with millet based drink ‘Eu’ are prepared in social or religious gatherings. The present work is an attempt to focus on ethnic food habit of ‘Toto’ people which is cultural symbol of the community.

Keywords

Alcoholic beverage, Cultural identity, PVTGs, Toto tribe, Traditional dietary pattern

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How to cite

Pramanick, D.D., 2025. Traditional food habit of primitive Toto tribe of Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India- An ethnographic study. Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products, 32(1), pp.93-98. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2025-TOIE13

Publication History

Manuscript Received on 04 July 2024

Manuscript Revised on 10 March 2025

Manuscript Accepted on 19 March 2025

Manuscript Published on 31 March 2025

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