Surviving in Contemporary Kerala

Reflections from Recent Research in a Fisher Village

Bibliographic Data

ID3883663
AuthorsJ Devika (corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume48
Issue2
Pages364-386
Publication date2017-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDevelopment and Change (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0012-155X • E-ISSN: 1467-7660
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/dech.12299
OpenAlexW2591893490
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited24

This article is based on mixed-method field research in Adimalathura, a coastal village in south Kerala, India, which has been identified as one of the poorest communities in the area. Although this fishing community has been facing severe ecological challenges, including massive resource depletion, it has been able to put up stiff resistance to impending dispossession in the face of a large port project actively promoted by the government, most major political parties and globalized capital. This article traces the history of public action and work in Adimalathura since the early 20th century, and reflects on its significance in the context of the present resistance. It examines the role of women in bolstering the community in times of severe challenges to men's livelihoods, and highlights the importance of women's provisioning work. Ultimately, the author cautions against exaggerating community strength and the capacities of the women even when they are able to utilize available resources competently

Agriculture · Context (archaeology) · Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Face (sociological concept) · Fishing · Geography · Government (linguistics) · Livelihood · Political science · Politics · Port (circuit theory) · Provisioning · Resistance (ecology) · Social science · Sociology · Work (physics) · Ecology · Law · Social and Economic Development in India · Southeast Asian Sociopolitical Studies · Water Governance and Infrastructure

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub