Hunting monkeys and gathering identities: Exploring self-representation among the Birhor of Central-East India

0e Birhor are a small society of Central-East India who are, to an extent, still consistently practicing hunting and gathering, in addition to making and selling ropes. In the last Fifty years, deforestation and the intrusion of government programs of development that promote sedentariness and a conversion to agriculture have been deeply affecting Birhor culture and economy. Anthropological studies in this cultural context have often overemphasized isolation of tribal communities, especially the ones considered more “primitive” as with the Birhor, and have generally understated their relationships with other groups. 0is article differs by focusing on the process of image building that Birhor constantly undertake to define themselves through the eyes of their neighbouring groups and, above all, to find a place for themselves within the rapidly changing economic network they are inserted in. 0e focus will be on their active role in this negotiation of identity and on the adaptive strategies they are putting in practice, with particular reference to the widespread view of their unique connection with forests and monkeys.