"Bederas of different castes. When asked about the caste, they say, Vedas. But Islam in religion. In rituals, all Hindus; Religion is not with the community, it is with this prominent community. Marriage is done to the mullah in the Islamic way, not to be cremated or buried. "
This is how Tarashankar Bandopadhyay described the Vedic community in his short story 'Bedeni'. A number of stories and novels by this Dalit-speaking man tell the story of the diverse lifestyle of the group.
The Bederas are a well-known marginal nomadic group in Bangladesh. These landless people live in groups on boats. This is why they are called water gypsies. They are more popular for showing snake games. The Vedas are also called Badia, Baidya or Baidyani. The origin of these names is from Vaidya (physician). Since ancient times, Bedera has been involved in various hammer treatments including kabiraji and jharmphunka. Many, however, claim that the word Veda originated from Bedouin. The Bederas identify the Arab Bedouins as their ancestors.
Ethnic identity and history
But ethnically, Bedera is unorthodox. Among them the Arabs have no Semitic features. Bedera has a shapely body, deep black complexion, curly hair, rectangles and black eyes. According to their physical characteristics, they are of original Austral descent. Of course, there are many theories about their coming to this country. According to some, they came from the Mantang Manta tribe of Arakan. Some say that Bedera is an isolated part of Santals. According to those who seek the relationship of the Vedas with Persia, the Vedas came here from Albadiya in Arabia in the seventh century. Many believe that the Bederas spread from eastern India to the rest of the world in the first century AD and eventually came to the region.
Whatever it is, the Bederas are forced to leave their homes and choose a nomadic life because of social, political or religious adversities. Adapted to river life for hundreds of years, they still survive on this land.
Language
Although Bedera speaks Bengali with Bengalis, they have their own language. They speak in their own language. As mentioned earlier, Bedera is an Australasian. But their language belongs to the Tibetan-Burmese (Sak-Luish) language family. There is no script in this language. According to the 1991 census, the number of Tarda-speaking Bangladeshi Vedas is about 40,000.
Religion
According to a survey by the Department of Social Welfare, 99 percent of the Vedas in Bangladesh are Muslim. The religion of the Vedas, however, is mixed. Many are followers of Pir, while others are devotees of Manasa or Bishahari. The Vedas are not usually interested in religion. Praise of Hindu gods and goddesses, Bedera does not worship even though he participates in various festivals. It goes without saying that there is no social relationship with Bengali Muslims. Although marriage is according to the Muslim religion, there are different customs in marriage. Differences in these customs can be seen in groups. If they died the day before, their bodies would be floated on a banana raft. Their bodies are still buried in an abandoned place or on the banks of a river.
Social system
Bedera has been following the customs of the community from the very beginning. Their way of life, social relations are bound within the tribe. Each Vedic family has its own boat. A team is made up of a few boats. And a fleet with a few teams. Each Vedic fleet has a chief. The rules of the fleet, the trade routes and areas of each party were determined by the Sardar. At weddings and other festivals, money or special gifts are given to the chief.
There are also tribal and tribal chiefs of the Vedic community. According to the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Bederas are divided into six tribes. These tribes are Malveda, Sapuria, Bajikar, Sandar, Tola, Mirshikari, Baryal Sanda and Gain Veda. The Bederas usually meet together in Munshiganj or Chittagong from the 5th of Kartik to the 15th of Agrahayan. Then the leaders of all the fleets together select the tribal chiefs. The tribalism of the Vedic people is strong. They still maintain communication and relations among themselves throughout the country.
Marital customs
In Vedic society, customs like child marriage, polygamy and joint family are not seen. Bedenis are independent. In the Vedas, young men and women voluntarily agree to marry each other. The wedding is arranged as a family. Everyone present, including the bride and groom, danced and sang.
The Vedas are known to have an excellent marriage ritual. The future groom sits on the highest branch of the tree. Then the bride has to promise to take the responsibility of the mother-in-law and the child to bring down the future groom. Then the groom promises lifelong sustenance but he comes down. Then they got married. Vedic young women are tempted to marry if there is an outsider. Attempts were made to keep him in the tribe after marriage. On the other hand, if a young man from outside marries a young woman in the Vedas, he has to pay compensation.
The groom has to pay the bride to get married. After marriage, the husband goes to his wife's family. If the husband and wife ever get divorced, the children and property are divided on the instructions of the chief. Widow marriage is also common in Vedic society.
Men and women in the Vedas
Vedic boys do not usually work. When the girls go out to earn money, they take care of the family and the children. But the Bedenis love their lazy husbands very much. Husband means like a god, always keeps him at bay. To keep her husband subdued, she sometimes massages the body with snake oil, sometimes she uses amulets and charms.
Bedeni's favorite snake is the terrifying, fierce-tempered Kalnagini. They behave and imitate this Kalnagini by nature. These girls love to dress up. With a tip on the forehead and a flower on a high head, they come out in groups wearing colorful saris. Hansuli, bala, baju, nolak, foot stool or kharu, scorpion, these ornaments are still adorned on their limbs from time immemorial. Another reason behind this wonderful magic is professionalism. They resort to this decoration to attract people.
Type of work
Bedera considers agricultural labor and other manual labor to be disrespectful. The girls go out mainly for work. These girls run from one region to another. Their original universal occupation was to sell kabiraji and herbal medicines. In addition to blowing, trumpeting (cupping therapy), pulling blood with cow horns to relieve pain, dental treatment, playing monkeys, doing magic. The type of work varies from tribe to tribe. The snakes catch snakes, showing the game of snakes. Many people now hire snakes for shooting.
Habitat in Bangladesh
According to tradition, Bedera Arakan Raj came to this country with King Ballal in 1638 and established the first settlement at Bikrampur. Later it spread to remote areas of Bangladesh, West Bengal and Assam in India. People of Vedic community are found in Bogra, Pabna, Mymensingh, Bakharganj, Noakhali of Bangladesh. Savar, Munshiganj, Sunamganj, Joydevpur in Gazipur, Hathazari in Chittagong, Mirsarai, Tinturi, Chauddagram in Comilla, Chandina, Enayetganj, Sonagazi in Feni and various places in North Bengal. It is to be noted that most of the huge marginalized groups in Savar identify themselves as Mantas. Mantara is a fisherman by profession. Their language, culture and religion are the same as the Vedas.
Current status
With the change of days, change is also coming in the work of Vedas. Many are involved in selling bangles and ribbons, toys and small businesses. Again, many are accused of involvement in the drug trade. Allegations of deception in the name of medical treatment are often found against the Vedas. Nowadays, they are also seen on city streets to embarrass people and raise money.
There are about 7.80 lakh Vedic peoples in Bangladesh. These people have not kept pace with the age of globalization. Only in 2008 a large section of the Vedas were given the right to vote. Even if they get civil rights, they do not have any facilities for education and treatment. Although the government provides scholarships, allowances and post-training rehabilitation for them, 90 percent of the Bederas are illiterate. Socially they are also extremely neglected. Apart from the election time, the people's representatives do not have time to think about this neglected population.
Care should be taken to ensure that these people do not engage in criminal activities in pursuit of a livelihood. Bedera wants to protect their uniqueness. Their distinctive and diverse culture has been a part of our society for centuries.
It is time to bring the Vedic community under various long-term projects by helping them to preserve their heritage and individuality as well as ensuring new livelihoods and civil rights.
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