Berwa
Bairwa (Berwa) are a Scheduled caste from Indian state Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. Their main occupations include farming and animal husbandry.
Traditions
Bairwa's and Meena Tribe have similar customs and traditions because Bairwa's are mostly found in eastern Rajasthan where there is a high concentration of Meena Tribe population.[1] Their population in 1981 census was 429, 627,[1] which has increased to 1,260,685 in 2011 census in State of Rajasthan and also have fair amount of population in state of Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and parts of UP,[2] being the second-largest scheduled caste in Rajasthan. They are mainly concentrated in the Tonk, Kota, Bundi, and Jaipur districts of Rajasthan and also have a significant population in Indore and Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. They are classified as SC in Delhi state.
The Berwa are influential despite their relatively smaller population. Feeling exploited by the higher castes, they have been involved in the struggle for social rights for the poor and farmers. Education has become an important means of progress, so the Berwa emphasize education for their children. They follow Hindu marriage practices. However, widows are allowed to marry, there is no child betrothal and polygyny is allowed. Vermilion, bangles and toe rings are some symbols of marriage for women.[3] Most of their workers were cultivators.[3] They speak Dingal and use Devanagari characters.[1] They are distributed throughout the state of Rajasthan, but concentrated in Jaipur district.[1] They adhere to Hinduism including all of its gods and goddesses.[1] They are not vegetarians.[1] The Berwa are endogamous.[1] The Berwa cremate their dead.[1] Women and men can seek divorce.[1] They were recognized as scheduled caste by the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order in 1950.[4] They have a procedure for admission to this caste.[5] They have a socio-political body of their own, the Chorasi Panchayat.[5]
It deals with the breach of caste norms and other issues.[5]
References
- Singh, K. S. (1 January 1998). Rajasthan. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 9788171547661 – via Google Books.
- "Bairwa - Google Search" (PDF).
- http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_sc_rajasthan.pdf
- "THE CONSTITUTION (SCHEDULED CASTES) ORDER, 1950]1".
- Pathak, Bindeshwar (1 January 1998). Continuity and Change in Indian Society: Essays in Memory of Late Prof. Narmadeshwar Prasad. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788170227267 – via Google Books.