Navigating Identity: Cultural Impact on the Demographic Behaviors of migrant Hela community of West Bengal

This study examines the demographic behaviors of the migrant Hela community residing in Kolkata, West Bengal, with a focus on how ancestral cultural attachment influence fertility, mortality, and marriage patterns. Traditionally marginalized and identified as Dalits, the Hela migrated from Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata to escape socio-economic discrimination. Based on data from 134 ever-married women, the study analyzes the community's marriage practices, reproductive behavior, and adaptive fitness. Results indicate a strong adherence to endogamous and consanguineous marriages within the group, which underscores their cultural solidarity amid a host environment of distinct social dynamics. The Hela’s fertility and mortality pattern surpasses that of their Bengali neighbors, closely aligning with their ancestral demographic patterns in Uttar Pradesh, likely as a means of preserving cultural continuity in a new setting. The selection intensity index shows the population is undergoing selection processes. This research emphasizes the importance of social and cultural cohesion in shaping the demographic profile of migrant communities.