AN INTER-GENERATIONAL STUDY AMONG HALUA BRAHMINS OF GANJAM, ODISHA

Transcription

1 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, (2014) : AN INTER-GENERATIONAL STUDY AMONG HALUA BRAHMINS OF GANJAM, ODISHA Priyadarshini Sahu and Savitri Nanda ABSTRACT The present study aims at studying the inter-generational change in growth among the Halua Brahmin of Ganjam district of Southern Odisha. The study is conducted on both sexes i.e. father-son and mother-daughter pairs of Halua Brahmin. It is an intergenerational study of growth. For this study six selected somatometric measurements viz. Stature, Sitting Height, Bi-acromial Diameter, Bi-iliocristal Diameter, Height Radiale and Height Tibialewere taken on Father - Son and Mother Daughter pair of the Halua Brahmin. For this study a cross sectional sample of 100 father son pairs and 103 mother - daughter pairs of the Brahmin were measured. The result shows higher mean value in stature, sitting height, biacromial diameter, height radiale and height tibiale are found in case of Brahmin sons and daughters in comparison with the parental generation. From the study it is observed that there is a positive secular trend of growth in case of the Halua Brahmin. Keyword: Somatometric measurements, Secular trend, Inter-generational, Halua Brahmin. INTRODUCTION Man has not only evolved for better, he is also evolving. It is believed that both heredity and environment are important in the development of human phenotype. The pattern of physical growth of a population is not a static one, but it usually changes with time. The secular growth is a long term time frame growth which is associated with generational change. One of the most use full definition of the secular trend was suggested by Bogin (1999): the secular trend is the process that results in a change in the mean size or shape of individuals of a population from one generation to the next. This change may be positive or negative (Godina, 2009). Changes in different morphological characters and somatometric measurements from parental to filial generation are complex phenomenon. These changes are due to various factors like heredity and environment. Changes like greater adult Priyadarshini Sahu, Research Officer, State Resource Centre for Women, Women & Child Development Deptt, Odisha, sahu_priyadarshini@yahoo.co. in and Savitri Nanda, Retd. Professor of Anthropology, Khallikote (Auto) College, Brahampur, Ganjam, Odisha, savitri.nanda@rediffmail.com

2 260 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 stature in case of filial generation are Positive secular growth and the reverse condition is called Negative secular growth. Factors that have been thought to be responsible for variation in height include climate, heterosis, migration, socio economic status, nutrition or diet. Better living condition, improved nutrition and medical facilities, changes in environmental and socio economic factors may account for increase in stature and early biological maturation (Khanna and Kapoor, 2004). It has been observed in many such studies conducted in United States, Japan, and some developed countries that these so - called secular changes have been taking place for the last years. According to Swedish archaeological data (Werdelinet al. 2002), the average height of man living in Europe during the Middle Ages was cm. Steckel (2004) reports that between the Middle Ages and the 18 th century average heights in Northern Europe decreased by about 6.4 cm. This decrease has been linked with climate changes, socioeconomic inequality, urbanization, the spread of diseases due to increased trade and commerce, nutritional deterioration due to agricultural productivity and expansionist military conflicts, both imperial and religious in motivation (Steckel, 2004). The study was conducted on 159 pair of Punjabi Arora mother-daughter residing in Delhi by Khanna and Kapoor in 2004 to see the phenomenon of secular trend in stature and age at menarche. An increase in stature and decrease in age at menarche was reported when the data of daughters was compared with that of their mothers thereby indicating secular trend in these two parameters. Better living conditions, improved nutrition and medical facilities, changes in environmental and socioeconomic factors may account for increase in stature and early biological maturation. An inter generational study of growth of two endogamous population viz. the Jharua Brahmin and the Agaria population of Western Odisha was conducted by Nanda in 2003 in similar ecological setting. The study was based on somatometric measurements of 95 father-son pair and 100 mother-daughter pairs of Jharua Brahmin. In case of Agria 80 father-son pairs and 90 mother-daughter pairs were taken into account. Secular growth trend was observed in filial generation of Jharua Brahmin of Western Odisha. But in case of Agria, of Western Odisha, sons showed significant increase in height and other measurements, where as the daughter showed negative secular trend. This bisexual variation might be due to pattern of food sharing in traditional family, as observed by the researcher. In the year 2004, Samal conducted a generational study among the Paika community. Measurements of both parents of Paika community (Anugul and Denkanal district of Odisha) were taken. To study the inheritance of 15 selected somatometric measurements taking into account families. The result shows that sons and daughter show higher mean value for stature. Generational study is also conducted by Satapathy (2002) among the women of fishing community of Haripur and Bandargaon village of Ganjam district of Odisha. The sample size of the study is 50 pairs of mother and daughter from Haripur and Bandargaon village. In both the villages the result shows that the mean height of

3 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 261 daughters is slight decreasing than to their mothers. This is due to lack of medical facility, lesser care to female child, poor economic condition with large family size. But other measurements like height radiale, height tibiale, bi-acromial breadth, and bi-iliocrisral breadth are increased among the daughters in comparison to their mothers. Heterosis incase of animals and race crossing incase of men is the important factor for the change in physical dimensions of an organism. So Secular growth of a population depends on the mating patterns, mutation and environmental conditions of that population. Indian population is divided into tribal and non-tribal population. The population is divided on the basis of religion and language. The Hindus are again divided into different castes. Caste is divided into sub castes. These sub castes are actually the breeding isolates and castes are main endogamous groups. So hetrosis is not possible among the endogamous group and if development is found in stature of filial generation it is due to developed social condition of the society. PRESENT STUDY AND THE HALUA BRAHMIN The assumption was that the positive secular trend of growth cannot be a universal phenomenon. It will be different in different population groups on the basis of economic condition, education, culture and sex. It is not known whether the secular trend in a real phenomenon for all the people in all the socio-economic groups and also in both the sexes. To evaluate the nature and trend of secular change in growth (either positive or negative) the present study is under taken. Origin of the Brahmin caste According to Veda, Brahmin is one who knows Brahmo, and is born from Lord Brahma s mouth. The origin of Brahmin as a caste dates back to Vedic period and it is not determined by birth but by virtue of the self chosen profession (swadharma). In latter Vedic period it started to be determined by birth. Generally the Brahmins of Ganjam district are of five types according to social hierarchy. Sasani or Danua Brahmin (Vaidik), Padhia Brahmin (Loukik), Saraswat or Sarua Brahmin (Loukik), Halua or Mastana Brahmin (Balabhadra Gotri), Bhadri Brahmin. Brahmins follow caste endogamy and gotra exogamy. From the surname one cannot make out the sub caste of Brahmin caste. Brahmins like Panda, Padhiari, Sarua, Paniari known as Laukik Brahmin. They were living during flourish of Buddhism. They were so called as they got influenced by Buddhism. The Brahmins brought from Kanyakubja established Brahman Shasanas became known as Vedic Brahmins. They gained the highest status among Brahmins. The BalabhadraGotre Brahmin, whose ancestors believed to be Buddhists by some historians, they gained their position below the Vaidik and Laukik Brahmins. They got appointed as cooks and other works in the temples of Puri and Bhubeneswar. Today they bear the surnames like Sahu, Padhan, Swain, Mohapatra, Mohanty and they do cultivation (Praharaj, 2008 a).

4 262 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 The land allotted to Brahmins to establish as Sasanasnamed after kings. The villagers called them as Mahajana and the castes like washer man, blacksmith and barber served the Mahajana as servants. Shasana has different meaning and one of them is land donated by king. Even today some evidences of the then Sasanas are found in Cuttack and Puri districts. It is said that AnangBheem Deva (Ganga dynasty) killed many Brahmins without knowledge during war, and to redeem from this sin, he established 450 Brahman Shasnas and donated vast stretches of land to them. In Puri district of Odisha there are sixteen Shasanas and thirty six Karbads established by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri (Praharaj, 2009). Kings were usually entitling Brahmins, while encrypting any responsibility as Rajguru, Paricha, Mahapatra, Khadanga, Bishoiratna, Khadiratna, Nayak (Mahapatra, 2007) etc. It is established by noted scholars on Brahminism that there were no sub-caste among Brahmins of Odisha in the beginning; they were all known as Vedic Brahmin. Later on, under the influence of spreading Budhism, they adopted various Non Brahaminic professions such as agriculture, trade and business where they could be assured of better income for livelihood. It came to such a pass that, in course of time, there was a dearth of Vedic Brahmins and King JajatiKeshari had to import ten thousand Vedic Brahmin from Kanauj. The present day Brahmins of Odihsa who perform Homo and Yagyan, etc. are all their descendents and the others are largely confined to the Maths and temples (Praharaj, 2008 b). It is significant that a large number of them are found south of Rushikulya and then Ganjam district can said to be home to this class of priests who are known for their competence in various forms of rituals. In Ganjam district more number of Halua Brahmins are living. They arechoudhury,sahu, Sabat, Panigrahi, Pradhan, Nayak, Padhi, Panda, Adhikari, Patra, Sharma, Samantaroy, Pani, Dash, Nepak,Paricha etc. By profession they are dependent on cultivation. They concentrate in Belagaon, Gandolla, Digapahandi, Patrapur, Chatrapur, Ganja, Rambha, Aska, Bhanjanagar and Goshaninuagon area of Brahmapur of Ganjam district. In the present study all the anthropometric measurements collected from Halua Brahmins of Goshaninuagon of Brahmapur, Belagaon, Gandolla areas of Ganjam. The Halua Brahmins stay both in rural areas and urban areas. Other castes like Benita odia, Sundi, Washer man, Barber etc are also staying. Families belonging to low castes are staying in different villages under study. Low castes are staying in isolated areas. The house pattern is found to be linear type and adjacent to each other. Proper ventilation is not available in these linear types of houses. People of rural areas are more traditional in comparison to the people of urban areas. Rice is the staple food for them. In breakfast they usually take chapatti, puri, upma, idili, etc. They prefer rice for lunch and dinner. Most of the Brahmins are non vegetarian and only sixteen percent among the Brahmins are vegetarian. None of the Brahmins take beef, pork and snail. They would like to have chicken, fish, dry fish, prawn, mutton, egg and crab on three days in a week i.e. Tuesday, Wednesday

5 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 263 and Friday. Tube well and supply piped water is used for drinking and cooking purpose. MATERIAL AND METHOD The present study aims to examine the secular change of somatometric measurements through generational analysis. The sample of the Halua Brahmin was taken from the area selected for Ganjam were restricted to Brahmapur town and nearby villages within 25 to 35 kms distance. Other castes like BenayatOdia, Washer man, Sundi, Barbar, Hadi, Pana and Bauri are also staying with the Brahmins in different villages under study. The areas selected for study provides a good opportunity to get the required number of sample Individuals. The Present investigation was carried out among Halua Brahmin of Ganjam district of Southern Odisha. A set of sixsomatometric measurements on body was selected to study the secular change of growth among the Halua Brahmin. The parameters were stature, sitting height, bi-acromial diameter, bi-iliocristal breadth, heightradiale and height tibiale. The study is conducted on both sexes i.e. father-son and mother-daughter pairs of Halua Brahmin. It is an intergenerational study of growth. Data collection was carried out only on those individuals who organized life and were physically active. No illnesses were reported during the data collection and the individuals selected for study were not on any regular medication. Families where both the pairs have been available were included in the sample, although such ideal conditions were not easy to found.girls leave their parental residence by getting married in late teen. Most of the boys are staying out side, leaving their families as migrant labourers and service holders. Certain criteria were taken in consideration while selecting the cohorts. They were as follows: Male parents who were above 55 years and female parents who were above 50 were not included in the sample as there is natural decreases of longitudinal somatometric measurement due to shrinkage of inter- vertebral discs and postural alterations with the aged. The minimum age for son and daughter selected for the sample were restricted to 22 years and 18 years respectively as they have attained maturity and maximum growth or height by that age. Pregnant mothers and adopted sons or daughters were also excluded from the study. Because the breadth measurement will vary in case of pregnant mother. As adopted child are not genetically related to their parents, they were excluded from the study. Families based on inter caste marriage were excluded. Because individual from inter caste marriage will differ in height from their relatives due to outbreeding and exogamy. The measurements were taken as per the methods described in Anthropometry by Singh and Bhasin (1968). All the measurements were taken between 6 A.M and 10 A.M and between 5 P.M and 8 P.M. All the subjects were asked to stand on plain surface and measurements taken carefully by the author herself with the same set of Anthropometer.

6 264 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 The Sample Size Group No. of Father - Son pairs No. of Mother Daughter pairs Total Halua Brahmin 100 (Hundred) 103 (Hundred three) 203 Pairs 406 individuals In statistical analysis calculations were done by using computerized statistical software, viz. SPSS 11.5 version and MS Excel and Statistica. Statistical methods are used for the calculation of Mean, Standard Deviation, Standard Error of Mean, Standard Error of standard deviation and Range of each of the studied measurements. RESULTS In case of the Halua Brahmin male the sons demonstrate higher mean stature than their fathers that is 2.08 cms. (Table 1). Among female group the daughters show higher mean stature than their mothers that is 1.91 cms. (Table 2) The mean sitting height is higher among the daughters and the difference is statistically significant. The Brahmin sons also show higher mean value for sitting height than their fathers that is 1.54 cms. (Table 1) Bi-acromial diameter increases among the offspring of both the sexes. The mean of bi-iliocristal breadth is decreased in filial generation. Brahmin daughters posse significantly lower hip breadth. Height radiale is increased in filial generation of both the groups but it is not statistically significant. The Halua Brahmin sons and daughters show higher height tibiale but the value is not statistically significant. DISCUSSION The Halua Brahmins are traditional, conservative and caste endogamy is strictly followed. Considering all these above factors the group is selected for the study of secular change of growth. Stature is an important variable character which deserves careful consideration because it is stated that environment has an obvious effect on stature. In the same place two people may live side by side with variable stature because of heredity and environmental effect on human physical growth. The Halua Brahmin sons are taller than their fathers. They show that 2.38 cms greater mean value for stature which is little high with Lewa Patel of Gujurat and low and middle income groups of Andhara Pradesh (Table 3). The Halua Brahmin daughters are taller than their mothers and it is almost same with the Agaria daughters of Western Odisha as studied by Nanda, 2003 (Table 3). Among the mother daughter the increase mean value of stature is quite high among Jharua Brahmins of Western Odisha in comparison to Halua Brahmins of Sothern Odisha (Table 3). The result shows higher mean value in stature, sitting height, bi-acromial diameter, height radiale and height tibiale are found in case of Brahmin sons and daughters

7 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 265 in comparison with the parental generation. From the study, it s observed that there is positive secular trend of growth among the Brahmin, the upper caste. The parents and offspring of the Halua Brahmin are classified as very short, short, lower medium, medium, upper medium, tall and very tall according to Martin. In case of the Brahmin males out of 100 sample size 17 number of fathers comes under short range (150.0 to cms). The mean value of short fathers is cms where as their sons show higher mean value that is cms. 21 numbers of fathers comes under tall range (170 to cms). The mean value of tall fathers is cms where as their sons show lower mean value cms (Table 4). In case of the Brahmin females out of 103 sample size 39 number of mothers comes under short range (140.0 to cms). The mean value of short mothers is cms where as their daughters show higher mean value that is 151.4cms. 7 numbers of mothers comes under tall range (159.0 to167.9 cms). The mean value of tall mothers is 160.9cms where as their daughters show lower mean value cms (Table 5). All these results coincide with Sir Francis Galton s Regression towards Mediocrity in Hereditary stature that in the average height of sons of group of a tall fathers is less than that of the fathers and average height of the sons of a group of short fathers is more than that of the fathers. The results have shown in table no 4 & 5. LINEAR REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENT STUDY Regression lines have drawn to see father-son, mother-daughter correlation for six measurements of Brahmin caste. The purpose of this study is to access the variation of body measurements of a & b, the two constant for all the six measurements are presented in table 6. In case of father- son correlation the fathers has been treated as X and the measurement of son taken as Y. Similarly in case of mother daughter, mother s measurement have taken as X and daughters measurement taken on Y. The regression line for six measurements for father-son and mother-daughter in two groups are presented in graph Figure. No. 1 to 12. All these values of coefficient of determination (R 2 ) between Brahmin fathers and Brahmin sons is 0.34 to 0.16 for all measurement. Among the Brahmin mothers and daughters the range of coefficient of determination varies from 0.23 to 0.05 for all measurement. All these show positive relationship (table 6). Regression Analysis Interpretation of Halua Brahmins (Father-Son) It was found from the data analysis that the mean height of son is cm corresponding to the mean height of cm for father. In case of Halua Brahmins it is revealed that the mean height of son is more than that of the father in the subsequent generation. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be That is the increment in the value of dependent variable Y (height of son) for a unit change in the value of the independent variable X (height of fathers).this

8 266 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 Figure 1: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Stature among Halua Brahmin Father Son Pair Figure 2: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Stature among Halua Brahmin Mother- Daughter Pair

9 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 267 Figure 3: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Sitting Height among Halua Brahmin Father Son Pair Figure 4: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Sitting Height among Halua Brahmin Mother Daughter Pair

10 268 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 Figure 5: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Bi-acromial Diameter among Halua Brahmin Father Son Pair Figure 6: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Bi-acromial Diameter among Halua Brahminmother Daughter Pair

11 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 269 Figure 7: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Bi-iliocristal Diameter among Halua Brahmin Father Son Pair Figure 8: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Bi-iliocristal Breadth among Halua Brahmin Mother Daughter Pair

12 270 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 Figure 9: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Height Radiale among Halua Brahmin Fathers and Sons Figure 10: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Height Radiale among Halua Brahmin Mother Daughter Pair

13 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 271 Figure 11: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Height Tibiale among Halua Brahmin Father Son Pair Figure 12: Graphical Presentation of Regression Trend Line Showing Height Tibiale among Halua Brahmin Mother Daughter Pair shows a significant positive relationship between the height of son and the father. The coefficient of determination explains 34 percent of the son s stature corresponding to their father s stature as hereditary stature (table 6).

14 272 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 The mean sitting height of Brahmin son is cm and the mean sitting height of father is cm. It shows that the mean sitting height of son is more than that of the father. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be This shows a significant positive relationship between the sitting height of son and the father. The coefficient of determination explains 16 percent of sitting height of the son corresponding to their father s sitting height as heritable sitting height (table 6). The mean bi-acromial diameter of Brahmin son is cm and the mean bi-acromial diameter of father is cm. The result shows that the mean bi-acromial diameter of son is more than that of the father. The slope coefficient is found to be It shows a significant positive relationship between the bi-acromial diameter of son and the father. The coefficient of determination explains 33 percent of inheritance of the son s bi-acromial diameter corresponding to their father s bi-acromial diameter (table 6). The mean bi-iliocrstal breadth of Brahmin son is cm corresponding to the mean bi-iliocrstal breadth of cm for father. It is revealed that the mean biiliocrstal breadth of son is less than that of the father in the subsequent generation. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be This shows a significant positive relationship between the bi-iliocrstal breadth of son and the father. The coefficient of determination explains 16 percent of the son s bi-iliocrstal breadth corresponding to their father s bi-iliocrstal breadth (table 6). The mean height radiale of Brahmin son is cm corresponding to the mean height radiale of cm for father. It is revealed that the mean height radiale of son is more than that of the father in the subsequent generation. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be This shows a significant positive relationship between the height radiale of son and the father. The coefficient of determination explains 29 percent of the son s height radiale corresponding to their father s height radiale as hereditary influence (table 6). The mean height tibiale of Brahmin son is cm corresponding to the mean height tibiale of cm for father. It is revealed that the mean height tibiale of son is more than that of the father in the subsequent generation. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be This shows a significant positive relationship between the height tibiale of son and the father. The coefficient of determination explains 13 percent of the son s height tibiale corresponding to their father s height tibiale (table 6). Regression Analysis Interpretation of Halua Brahmins (Mother-Daughter) In case of Halua Brahmin female the mean height of daughter is cm corresponding to the mean height of cm for mother. It shows that the mean height of daughter is more than that of the mother in the subsequent generation. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be That is the increment in the value of dependent variable Y (height of daughter) for a unit

15 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 273 change in the value of the independent variable X (height of mother). This shows a significant positive relationship between the height of daughter and the mother. The coefficient of determination explains 9 percent of the daughter s stature corresponding to their mother s stature as hereditary stature (table 6). The mean sitting height of Brahmin daughter is cm corresponding to the mean sitting height of cm for mother. It is revealed that the mean sitting height of daughter is more than that of the mother in the subsequent generation. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be This shows a less significant positive relationship between the sitting height of daughter and the mother. The coefficient of determination explains 13 percent of sitting height of daughter corresponding to their mother s sitting height as heritable sitting height (table 6). The mean bi-acromial diameter of Brahmin daughter is cm corresponding to the mean bi-acromial diameter of cm for mother. It is found that the mean biacromial diameter of daughter is more than that of the mother in the subsequent generation. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be This shows a significant positive relationship between the bi-acromial diameter of daughter and the mother. The coefficient of determination explains 10 percent of inheritance of the daughter s bi-acromial diameter corresponding to their mother s bi-acromial diameter (table 6). The mean bi-iliocrstal breadth of Brahmin daughter is cm corresponding to the mean bi-iliocrstal breadth of cm for mother. It is shows that the mean biiliocrstal breadth of daughter is less than that of the mother in the subsequent generation. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be This shows a significant positive relationship between the bi-iliocrstal breadth of daughter and the mother. The coefficient of determination explains 5 percent of the daughter s bi-iliocrstal breadth corresponding to their mother s bi-iliocrstal breadth (table 6). The mean height radiale of Brahmin daughter is cm corresponding to the mean height radiale of cm for mother. It is revealed that the mean height radiale of daughter is more than that of the mother. The slope coefficient is found to be This shows a significant positive relationship between the height radiale of daughter and the mother. The coefficient of determination explains 5 percent of the daughter s height radiale corresponding to their mother s height radiale as hereditary influence (table 6). The mean height tibiale of Brahmin daughter is cm and the mean height tibiale of mother is cm. The result shows that the mean height tibiale of daughter is more than that of the mother in the subsequent generation. From regression analysis, the slope coefficient is found to be This shows a significant positive relationship between the height tibiale of daughter and the mother. The coefficient of determination explains 13 percent of the daughter s height tibiale corresponding to their mother s height tibiale as hereditary influence (table 6).

16 274 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 CONCLUSION The present study shows that there is a positive secular growth change found among the higher caste i.e. Halua Brahmin but it is not statistically significant. The Halua Brahmin sons and daughters show significant higher mean value in sitting height only. But in other four measurements i.e. stature, bi-acromial diameter, height radiale, height tibiale show higher mean value but the values are statistically insignificant. Among the Halua Brahmin the filial generation of both sex show lower mean value for bi-iliocristal breath and it is more marked among the daughters in comparison to sons. The value is statistically insignificant in case of sons, but in case of daughters it is significantly low. In Brahmins the filial generation of both sexes shows lower mean value for two measurements i.e. bi-iliocristal breadth. It is natural because bi-iliocristal breadth depends on environmental factors, age factor and hormonal changes in the body. Brahmin sons and daughters show higher mean value for stature, sitting height, bi-acromial diameter, height tibilae and height radiale. It shows that the secular change is positive but the changes are not statistically significant. The co efficient of determination explains 34 percent of the son s stature corresponding to their father s stature as hereditary stature. All most all the Brahmin families are conscious about family planning and small family norms. The number of offspring is limited to two in a Brahmin family, and if the eldest child is a male child, then the family members do not welcome the second child. Marriage of a daughter is a problem among the Brahmins. The dowry system of Brahmin society is the root cause of the difficulties in marriage of a daughter. The father of a daughter will have to pay a heavy amount of cash, gold and other house hold materials to son-in-law s family. So daughter is considered as a liability rather than an asset. Distribution of food in a Brahmin family is limited mostly among the four or five members of a family. The family members are limited to three to five. Joint family system is rarely found. Sometimes vertical extension of family is found between two generation that is, the old parents are living with the son s family. But horizontal extension of family of the same generations, that is more than two brothers with their families are not found. The Halua Brahmins of Ganjamdistrict are economically poor in comparison to Jharua Brahmin of Sambalpur district, which is studied by Nanda in The author has mentioned all most all the Jharua Brahmins are rich and educated. The Halua Brahmins of Ganjamdistrict are economically poor in comparison to Kumuti caste (business community) of the same area. The Halua Brahmins are involved in small scale business, unlike the Kumutis who are involved in Gold and silk cloth business. Saving mentality is high among people of Ganjam district and so also in case of Halua Brahmin because of dowry system in the society. So they spend less amount of money for food and more amounts of money for purchase of gold ornaments. This dowry system is the social phenomena which is mostly prevalent in Southern Odisha in comparison with the Northern and Eastern part of Odisha. This dowry system is almost rare in Western Odisha.

17 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 275 Positive secular growth in stature is observed among the sons and daughters of the Halua Brahmin though the growth is not statistically significant. The increase in mean stature of the Brahmin sons is due to their increase in mean sitting height. The mean sitting height of Brahmin sons is statistically significant. The leg length of the Brahmin sons is cm and stature is cm. Leg length with sitting height is the stature of the individual. Similarly the mean stature of Brahmin daughters is cm, which shows positive increase in filial generation. But this positive increase is not statistically significant. The mean sitting height of the daughters is cm, which shows positive significant increase in filial generation. The leg length of the daughter will be cm. The mean increase in stature of Brahmin daughters is mainly due to increase in sitting height and not due to leg length. So this shows that the leg length of offspring in Brahmin community is not increasing rapidly. There may be different reasons for this short leg of the Halua Brahmin. It can be concluded that living condition and nutrition of the Brahmin of Southern Odisha is of average type. The standard of living of Halua Brahmin is not so high in comparison with the Brahmins of Western Odisha studied by Nanda. The dietary intake of the Brahmin is not so rich. According to Wolanski (1979) improved living conditions and improved nutrition of a population are associated with long leg length. So also in the case of the Halua Brahmins, the living condition is reflected in their body dimensions.

18 276 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 Table 1: Statistical Constants of Different Somatometric Measurements among the Halua Brahmin Male Sl.No Measurements Father Son Range in Mean ± SE S.D. ± SE Range in Mean ± SE S.D. ± SE Difference t- test Son > Son = Son < Cms in cms in cm Cms in cms in cm for Mean Father/ Father Father Father (Son-Father) Son % % % 1 Stature to ± 6.07 ± to ± 6.21 ± Sitting height 78.3 to ± 3.48 ± 79.7 to ± 3.32 ± * Bi- acromial 28.2 to ± 1.78 ± 29.0 to ± 2.10 ± diameter Bi-iliocristal 25.2 to ± 2.21 ± 24.2 to ± 1.97 ± breadth Height radiale 94.6 to ± 4.56 ± 95.7 to ± 4.56 ± Height tibiale 37.3 to ± 2.41 ± 38.5 to ± 2.20 ± * Significant at 0.01 level

19 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 277 Table 2: Statistical Constants of Different Somatometric Measurements among the Halua Brahmin Female Sl.No Measurements Mother Daughter Range Mean ± S.D. ± SE Range Mean ± S.D.±SE Difference t-test Daughter Daughter Daughter in Cms SE in cms in cm in Cms SE in in cm for Mean Mother/ > Mother = Mother < Mother cms (Daughter- Daughter % % % Mother) 1 Stature to ± 5.29 ± to ± 5.97 ± Sitting height 71.0 to ± 3.05 ± 72.7 to ± 3.27 ± * Bi-acromial 24.1 to ± 1.92 ± 30.2 to ± 1.94 ± diameter Bi-iliocristal 22.2 to ± 2.76 ± 24.1 to ± 2.24 ± * breadth Height radiale 86.9 to ± 4.07 ± 85.3 to ± 4.19 ± Height tibiale 32.3 to ± 2.29 ± 32.4 to ± 2.30 ± * Significant at 0.01 level

20 278 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 Table 3: Secular Changes in Height (cms) Through Generational Studies Sl. No Group Son Father Increase Daughter Mother Increase Investigators 1 LewaPatels of Gujurat Kaur& Singh (1981) 2 Low Income Group (A.P) Saroj&Rao, Middle Income Group (A.P) do- 4 Upper Income Group (A.P) do- 5 Higher Income Group of A.P Balakrishna, Rural A.P Radhaiah, Rural A.P Satyanarayana K, Upper Socio- economic Group of A.P Raoet al Jharua Brahmin of Western Odisha Nanda, Agria of Western Odisha Nanda, Arroras of Punjab Khanna & Kapoor, Bhatudi of Odisha Prasad, Aggrwal of Delhi Roy & Singh (1992) 14 Saora of Odisha Jena, Kandha of Odisha Mohanty, Koya of Odisha Mohanta, Kissan of Odisha Das, Fishing Community Pair of Haripur Satapathy, 2002 Village, Ganjam,Odisha (Unpublished) 19 Fishing Community Pair of Bandargaon Satapathy, 2002 Village, GanjamOdisha (Unpublished) 20 Paika of Anugul and Denkanal, Odisha Samal, Oraon of Western Odisha Nanda, Santhal of West Bengal Ghosh& Malik, Halua Brahmin of Southern Odisha Sahu (Present Study)

21 Inter-generational Study among Halua Brahmins of Odisha 279 Table 4: Martin s Classification of Stature and the Halua Brahmin Male Classification STATURE Range Frequency of Father Frequency of Son (Mean Variation According Brahmin (Mean value Brahmin value in cm) to Martin Male (cm) Fathers in cm) Sons Very Short Nil 0 Nil Short Lower Medium Medium Upper Medium Tall Very Tall Range / Mean of the Brahmin Halua Males Range in cm (Mean value in cm) Range in cm (Mean value in cm) Father Father Son Son to to Table 5 Martin s Classification of Stature and the Halua Brahmin Female Classification Stature Range Frequency of Mother Frequency of Daughter Variation According Brahmin (Mean Brahmin (Mean value to Martin female mothers value in Daughters in cm) (cm) cm) Very Short Short Lower Medium Medium Upper Medium Tall Very Tall Nil 01 Nil Range / Mean of the Brahmin Halua Females Range in cm Mother (Mean value in cm) Range in cm (Mean value in cm) Mother Daughter Daughter to to Table 6: Showing a.b. and R 2 value of Father-Son, Mother-Daughter in Two Populations for different measurements The Halua Brahmin Father - Son Mother - Daughter Sl.No Measurements a. b. R 2 a. b. R 2 1. Stature Sitting height Bi-acromial diameter Bi-iliocristal breadth Height radiale Height tibiale

22 280 Ind. J. Phys. Anthrop. & Hum. Genet. Vol. 33. No. 2, 2014 REFERENCES Bogin, B., Pattern of Human Growth. Cambridge University Press, 2nd Edition. Godina, E. Z., The Secular Trend: History and Prospects. Human Physiology, 35(6): Singh, I. P. and M. K. Bhasin, Anthropometry. Bharati Bhawan, Delhi. Kaur, D. P. and R. Singh, Parent-Adult offspring correlations and heritability of body measurements in rural Indian population. Annals of Human Biology, 8(4): Khanna, G. and S. Kapoor, Secular Trend in Stature and Age at MenarchAmong Punjabi Aroras Residing in New Delhi, India. Coll.Antropol., 28 (2): Nanda, S., Secular growth trend in Western Orissa.J.Hum.Ecol. 14(5): Samal, G., Artificial Nural Network for Prediction of Body Measurements: A Study of Quantitive Genetics of Paika Community of Anugul and DhenkanalDstrict of Orissa.Ph.D Thesis. Utkal University, Odisha. (Unpublished). Satpathy, S., A study of Secular Growth Trend of Women of Haripur and Bandargaon.M.A. Dissertation, Khallikote College (Autonomous), Berhampur. (Unpublished). Steckel, R. H., New light on the Dark Ages the remarkably tall stature if Nothern European men during the Medieval era. Social Science History., 28 (2): Werdelin, L., Myrdal, J., and S. Sten, Patterns of Stature Variation in Medieval Sweden. Hikuin, 27: Wolanski, N., Parent - offspring similarities in body size and Propertions. Studies in Human Ecology, 3: 7-26.

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