About the Department

Department Of Anthropology

About the Department

The Department of Anthropology, Dibru College, Dibrugarh, was established in 1974 under the vision and guidance of its founding faculty member, Late Hema Ranjan Chutia (M.Sc.). The department has been committed to providing quality education in the diverse field of anthropology. Since its inception, the department has played a significant role in shaping the academic and professional landscape for students in the region.

Founding Faculty Members

  1. Late Hema Ranjan Chutia (M.Sc.) – Joined Dibru College in 1965 and retired in 2003.
  2. Mrs. Santona Hazarika (M.Sc.) – Joined in 1978 and retired in 2009.
  3. Late Bimala Konwar (M.Sc.) – Joined in 1978 and retired in 2005.
  4. Mrs. Hemoprobha Chetia (M.Sc.) – Joined in 1979 and retired in 2009.

At its inception, the department had four permanent teaching posts; however, one post was later transferred to the Computer Science Department. Presently, the department is supported by three esteemed faculty members.

DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES

The Department offers comprehensive courses in Anthropology, with both Higher Secondary (HS) and Undergraduate (BA and BSc) programs. HS 1st and 2nd Year Courses are designed as per the curriculum prescribed by the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC). And Undergraduate Courses aligned with the guidelines of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The department is equipped with good laboratory facilities that enhance students’ learning through practical exposure. Key features include:

Biological Anthropology:

The laboratory is outfitted with tools and specimens for the study of human evolution, genetics, and osteology. Students work with human skeletons, anatomical models, and DNA analysis techniques to understand human biological diversity.

Social and Cultural Anthropology:

The department provides hands-on experience with ethnographic methods, fieldwork, and data collection. Students have opportunities to engage with local communities and apply their learning in real-world contexts. A library of ethnographic materials and multimedia resources enriches the study of cultures and societies.

Archaeological Anthropology:

The department offers advanced resources for the study of archaeological materials, including prehistoric tools and artefacts. Students learn to identify and analyze artefacts, developing a deeper understanding of human history and material culture.

Overall the facilities provided at the Department of Anthropology, Dibru College, support an immersive learning experience, blending theoretical knowledge with real world application, and ensuring that the students are well prepared for professional careers in anthropology. After completing their undergraduate degree in Anthropology, many students opt for higher education to further their studies and specialize in a specific area of the field offerings, and some students go for competitive examination preparation.

Students’ Achievement

Students’ Achievement (Year-wise)

Academic Achievements

The department is proud of its students’ academic excellence, with many securing top positions in Dibrugarh University. Some notable achievements include:

2017: Swapnaneel Sharma Baruah (Science stream) achieved 2nd Rank in Dibrugarh University.

2018: Rashmi Baruah Konwar (Arts stream) recognized as the Best Graduate under Dibrugarh University.

2019: Maha Dev Gauri (3rd Rank) and Prinseng Sisen Singpho (6th Rank), both from the Science stream.

2022: Sangeeta Talukdar (2nd Rank) and Konkona Cholong (3rd Rank) from the Science stream.

2023: Marina Begum (8th Rank) and Sonoo Teli (9th Rank) from the Science stream.

2024: Mridushmita Gogoi (2nd Rank) and Nayan Jyoti Deori (3rd Rank), both from the Science stream.

2025: Abhishek Dutta (2nd Rank) and Polok Paul (11th Rank) & Karan Kumar Pator (12th Rank)  from Science stream.

Sports Achievements

In the field of sports, Miss Dipika Roy represented Assam in the National Senior Powerlifting Championship (2021-2022), and Mr. Pratyot Panna Boruah secured Second Position in the State Power lifting Competition (2022).

Courses and Syllabus

Courses and Syllabus

The Department of Anthrpology, Dibru College is currently offering Four Year Undergraduate Programme in Physics (B.A and B.Sc. in Anthropology) under NEP-2020. The syllabus can easily be downloaded from Dibrugarh University Website.

Syllabus Link:

Click To Download

Departmental Activities

Departmental Activities

Publications

Publications

  1. Boruah P. 2012. Socio Cultural Dimension of Health Care Practices: A Study among the Ao Nagas of Nagaland. Human Health A Bio cultural synthesis. Edited by Subir Biswas. Concept Publishing Co. Pvt. New Delhi.
  2. Boruah P. 2014. Health and Educational Rights of the Children in an Urban Slum: A Case Study in Dibrugarh District, Assam. Anthropology and Health Issues. Edited by Buddhadeb Chaudhari and Subir Biswas. Rawat Publications. New Delhi.
  3. Boruah P. 2015. Tribal Customary Practices: A Case Study Among the Ao Nagas of Nagaland. Contemporary Indian Society. Edited by Vijay Prakash Sharma. Anmol Publications Pvt.Ltd. New Delhi.
  4. Boruah p. 2021. Significance and Continuation of Traditional Community Festivals among the Tribes of North East India. India’s North East: Contribution of Anthropology. Edited by N K. Gogoi and Maitreyee Sharma. Published by the Registrar, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh
  5. Boruah P. 2014. Livelihood Pattern and Health Care of the Ao Nagas in Rural Setting in Mokokchung District, Nagaland. North East India, The Human Landscape. Edited by M .K. Raha. Concept Publishing co.Pvt.Ltd. New Delhi.
  6. Boruah P. 2014. Trafficking of Women in Assam: Status and Challenges. Human Trafficking and Female Migration, Problems of Evolving Humanity and Emerging World. Edited by Vijay Prakash Sharma. Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.
  7. Boruah P. 2019. Religious Beliefs and Practices among the Singphos of Dumsa Village Under Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh. Journal The Eastern Anthropologists volume 72 Number 1-2
  8. Boruah P. 2019. Man Nature Relationship: A Case Study Among the Morans of Ubon Village in Tinsukia District, Asssam. Journal Khoj. Volume XI .
  9. Boruah P. 2016. Life Cycle Rituals: A Case Study Among the Sonowal Kacharis of Dainijan Village, Dibrugarh. Journal Khoj. Volume VIII.
  10. Boruah P. 2014. Environment and Culture: Anthropological Perspective. Journal Khoj. Volume VI.
  11. Boruah P. 2012. Impact of Modern Technology among the Tea Labourers in Assam: A Case Study in Upper Assam. Journal Khoj. Volume IV.
  12. Boruah P. 2010. Health Care Problems of the Tribal Women: A Study Among the Ao Nagas of Nagaland. Journal Man and Life. Volume 36. 3-4.
  13. Boruah P. 2014. Present Status of Tribal Women in their Contemporary Society. Science Galaxy. Edited by Rupjyoti Borah and Jyotima Phukan. Kaustubh Prakashan, Dibrugarh, Assam.

  1. Child Care and motherhood: A case study among the Sonowal Kacharis of Assam was published in the journal Man in India, Volume 79, in the year 2000.
  2. Beliefs and practices during pregnancy: A case study among the Mishings was published in the Bulletin of Anthropology with ISSN 2278-5272 in the year 2002 at Dibrugarh.
  3. Some aspects of health: A case study among the Tai Khamyangs mother and child of Tirap belt in Tinsukia District was published in the Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Northeast India, Southeast Asia, and South China Neighbouring areas of North East India in the year 2011 by the Center for Tai-Tribal & Northeast India Studies.
  4. Shifting cultivation of North East India: Its Alternatives for Environmental Protection was published in KHOJ Journal, Volume IV, ISSN 2278-5244, in the year 2012.
  5. Socio-economic changes among the Khamyangs of Chalapathar gaon of Sibsagar district, Assam was published in the Bulletin of the Department of Anthropology, Dibrugarh University in the year 2012.
  6. Janajusthiva paramparare Andaman Adivashikal was published in KHOJ Journal, Volume V, ISSN 2278-5244, in the year 2013.
  7. Religious belief and practices among the Mishings: A case study (pp. 159–162) was published in the Bulletin of the Department of Anthropology, Dibrugarh University with ISSN 0976-2264 in the year 2014.
  8. Child care and enculturation in a society: A Theoretical Interpretations was published in Chirantan Chintan, Volume IV, Number 1, ISSN 2278-4756, in the year 2015.
  9. Some rites and rituals among the Tai-Khamyangs of Sivasagar district (pages 22–27) was published in Khoj, Vol. VIII (ISSN 2278-5272) in the year 2016.
  10. Marriage system: An analytical study among the Tai-Khamyangs of Sivasagar district (pages 70–75) was published in Abhibyakti – A Journal of Women Cell ACTA (ISSN 2450-0546) in the year 2016.
  11. The condition of health and hygiene among the mother and children of Tai-Khamyangs of Tinsukia district was published in Chirantan Chintan, Vol. VII (ISSN 2278-5272) in the year 2018.

Chapters in Books:

  1. Traditional belief and practices: A brief note on the Deories of Dibrugarh District was published as a chapter in the book The Tribes of N.E. India (Anthology of Collected Essays), edited by K. Sonowal and G. Saikia, with ISBN 978-81-928312-3-7.
  2. Child care practices and development: A case study among the Mishing of Dibrugarh was published as a chapter in the book Ethnic Group – Cultural Continuities and Social Change in North East India.
  3. Problem and prospects of postnatal health: A case study among the rural and urban Mishing mothers of Dibrugarh District was published as a chapter in the book Ethnic Groups of North East India: Education, Health and Nutritional Perspective, edited by Jaswant Singh and Promanita Bora, with ISBN 81-8324-459-9, in the year 2013.
  4. Role of Mishing women in change and continuity was published as a chapter in the book Ethnic Women in Changing Social Scenario of North East India, edited by Gitali Saikia, in the year 2013.
  5. Role of mother towards child socialization: A study among the Tai-Khamyangs of Tinsukia District, Assam was published in Science Galaxy, edited by Mrs. Buwijoti Borah and Dr. Jyotima Phukon, ISBN 978-93-82283-67-6, in 2014.
  6. The removal of umbilical cord and cultural values: An appraisal was published in Mosaic, edited by Mitalee Baruah, ISBN 978-93-82283-91-1, in 2014.
  7. Remedy of diseases among the Sonowal Kachari children was published in Manoratha, edited by J. Borooah and N. Lahkar, ISBN 978-81-921779-9-1, in 2015.
  8. The role of Mishing women: Their perspective and development was published in Perspective on Development and Society, edited by P. Gogoi and M.K. Das, ISBN 978-81-936466-56-6, in 2018.
  9. Maternal health and traditional knowledge of Mishing women during pregnancy was published in Traditional Skill and Knowledge, edited by Basanta Phukan, ISBN 978-93-85439-43-8, in 2018.
  10. Women empowerment: A glimpses was published in Uttar Pub Bharatot Nari: Sthana-Samajaniak Prasanga, edited by Moromi Talukdar and Swapna Nath, ISBN 978-81-936466-4-9, in 2019.
  11. Mothers’ role in child socialization was published in Society Today: Compiled Essays in Anthropological Research, edited by M. Borooah and R. Sharma, ISBN 9789353242435, in 2020.
  12. Traditional beliefs of Mising community on pregnancy was published in Purvottar Himalaya: A Nibijanak Awlokan, edited by Dr. Kalyan Baruah, in 2022.
  13. The role of Tai-Khamyang women in weaving culture was published in Pragyana: The Gateway of Knowledge, edited by Mrs. Nandita Baishya, Dr. Mousumi Dutta, and Ms. Dipika Das, ISBN 978-81-5890-862-6, in 2023.

  1. “Some Morpho Genetic and Behavioural Traits among the Assamese Sikhs” The

Anthropologist, 2004: Vol. 6 (4), 253 – 255.

  1. “Physical Affinity of the Assamese Sikhs” Indian Journal of Physical Anthropology and

Human Genetics, 2006 Vol. 25 (1), 103-110.

  1. “Nutritional Status of Sonowal Kachari Girls of Dibrugarh District, Assam” Journal of

Women’s Studies, Dibrugarh University. 2007 Vol. 1, 93-98.

  1. “Nutritional Status of Sonowal Kachari Children’s of Dibrugarh District, Assam” The

Anthropologist, 2007: Vol. 9 (3), 233-235.

  1. “Unity in Diversity in Indian Culture” Khoj, 2010:
  2. “Growth Pattern of Sonowal Kachari Children” Bulletin of the Department of Anthropology,

Dibrugarh University. 2011 Vol. 39, 81-92.

  1. “Effect of Flood on Growth and Nutritional Status of Ahoms of Dibrugarh District,

Assam” Perspectives:Dristipath, 2012: Vol. 1, Issue 1, 99-103.

  1. “Assessment of Health Status of the Tea Garden Population of Dibrugarh Town”

Bulletin of the Department of Anthropology, Dibrugarh University. 2012 Vol. 40, 55-58.

  1. “Assessment of Nutritional Status: a case of tribal children in Assam, Northeast India” J

Nepal Paediatr Soc 2013:33(1): 1-7

  1. “Use of Upper-Arm Anthropometry as Measure of Body-Composition and Nutritional

Assessment in Children and Adolescents (6-20 Years) of Assam, Northeast India”

Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences 2014: Vol.24 No. 3, 243-253.

  1. “A Study on Some Genetic and Behavioural Traits among the Ahoms of Hatibaruah

village in Chareideo District of Assam” Perspectives:Dristipath 2017: Vol. VI, Issue 1,

99-103.

  1. “Racemization and Emergence of Assamese Sikh” Khoj 2019: Vol.XI, 43-55.
  2. “Implementation of National Education Policy 2020 in Higher Educational Institutions in

India and the role of National Assessment and Accreditation Council: An Analytical

Study” Journal of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai 2023: Vol.97, No.10, 91-96.

Books (Edited)

  1. “Ethnic Groups of North East India: Education Health and Nutritional

Perspective.” 2013: Mittal Publications, New Delhi.

  1. “Social Cultural Dimensions of the Ethnic Groups of North East India”

2013: Mittal Publications, New Delhi.

  1. “Development Disaster and Displacement among the Ethnic Groups of North East India”

2013: Mittal Publications, New Delhi.

  1. “Essence in Social Sciences” 2024: SUN Beam Publication in association with IQAC,

Dibru College, Dibrugarh, Assam.

Chapters in Books

  1. “Some Somatometric Traits among the Assamese Sikhs” in Dimensions of Researches in Indian Anthropology. Edited by Vijoy S. Sahay, Pradip K. Singh and Gautam K. Bera, 2005: Vol.
  2. 465 – 479 New Delhi: Serials Publications.
  3. “Demographic Profile of the Assamese Sikhs” in Population Education Edited by Anjan.

Saikia, Lokman Ali and Kaushal Kishor. 2011: 142 – 152 New Delhi: APH Publishing

Corporation.

  1. “Growth and Nutritional Status of Sonowal Kachari Children” in Dimensions of

Anthropological Research in India Edited by Jayanta Sarkar, Arabinda Basu and Ajit K. Singh.

2012: 111-140 Kolkata: The Indian Anthropological Society.

  1. “Body Mass Index and Body Composition of Sonowal Kachari Children of Dibrugarh

District, Assam” in Ethnic Groups of North East India: Education Health and

Nutritional Perspective Edited by Jaswant Singh and Promanita Bora. 2013: 91-97 New

Delhi: Mittal Publications.

  1. “Genetic Knowledge and Human Wellbeing” in Science Galaxy, Edited by Mrs. Rupjyoti

Borah and Dr. Jyotima Phukon. 2014: 67-71 Dibrugarh: Kaustubh Prakashan.

  1. “A Study on Growth and Nutritional Status of the Sonowal Kachari of Dibrugah District,

Assam” in Summary of Doctoral Theses Edited by Dr. Joydev Dutta and Sudarsan Gupta.

2015: Assam College Teachers Association, Guwahati.

  1. “Health of Pre-adolescent Sonowal Kacharis of Dibrugarh District, Assam” in

Culture, Health and Development-The Situation among the Tribes of North East India

Edited by Narendra Singh, Nitish Mondal & Somnath Bhattacharjee. 2016: 75-89 New

Delhi: Concept Publishing Company.

  1. “Nutritional Status of Adolescent: A Study among the Sonowal Kachari of Dibrugarh,

Assam” in Readings in Bilogical Anrhropology Edited by Sudipta Ghosh and Dhruba Kr.

Limbu. 2018: 207-226 Delhi: B. R. Publishing Corporation.