Aparna Rao
Aparna Rao (February 3, 1950 – June 28, 2005) was a German anthropologist who performed studies on social groups in Afghanistan, France, and some regions of India. Her doctorate studies focused on anthropogeography, ethnology, and Islamic studies. Rao taught anthropology at the University of Cologne, serving for a brief time as chair of the Department of Ethnology at the South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University, Germany.
Aparna Rao | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 3, 1950 New Delhi, India |
| Died | June 28, 2005 (aged 55) |
| Citizenship | Germany |
| Spouse | Michael Casimir |
| Awards | Choice |
| Academic background | |
| Education | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Alma mater | University of Strasbourg (M.A.) Paris-Sorbonne University (Ph.D.) |
| Thesis | Les Sinté du Pays Rhénan. Essai d'une Monographie d'un Sous–groupe Tsigane (M.A.) Les Ghorbat d'Afghanistan. Aspects Économiques d'un Groupe Itinerant 'Jat' (Ph.D.) |
| Doctoral advisor | Xavier de Planhol |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Anthropology |
| Sub-discipline | Ethnography Ethnology |
| Institutions | Former co-chairperson, Commission on Nomadic Peoples of the International Union of Ethnological and Anthropological Sciences |
Rao's research focused on peripatetic, agrarian populations in Afghanistan, France, Jammu, Kashmir, and western Rajasthan. Rao researched the impact of the conflict in Kashmir on the environment and lives of people. Her 1982 work, Les Ġhorbat d'Afghanistan. Aspects Économiques d'un Groupe Itinérant 'Jat', researched the ethnic makeup and local economy of Afghanistan. Her book Autonomy: Life Cycle, Gender, and Status among Himalayan Pastoralists received the 1999 Choice award.