Hajjam/Nai Musum/Navid
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(From People of India/ National Series Volume VIII. Readers who wish to share additional information/ photographs may please send them as messages to the Facebook community, Indpaedia.com. All information used will be gratefully acknowledged in your name.)
Synonyms: Nai, Nau, Naua, Thakur [Bihar and/or Jhar khand] Khabas, Khalifa, Nai [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhatti sgarh] Hajam, Jarrah, Nai, Naoa [West Bengal] Groups/subgroups: Gangatirkar (Maratha), Ghatis, Go davari, Junar, Konkani, Kunbi (cultivator), Madrasi Nhavi, Maratha (Maratha Nhavi ), Marwari Nhavi, Pardeshi, Pardeshi Nhavi,, Telangi Nhavi [R. E. Enthoven]
- Subcastes: Awadhiya, Ayodhiabasia, Bangali, Bastar
, Biahut, Kanaujia, Magahiya, Musalmania, Sribastab , Tirhutia, Turuk Nana [H.H.Risley] Titles: Naheri, Osta, Thakur [H.H. Risley] Surnames: Naheri, Prasad, Sekh, Thakur [Bihar and/o r Jharkhand] Khan [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh] Ali, Hakim [West Bengal] Khandeshi, Mashalji, Vaidesh, Vajantri (musician), Ye lmar [R.E. Enthoven] Gotra: Kashyap [Bihar and/or Jharkhand]
- Sections: Amraut, Barthoar, Beauran, Beraut, Bils
ar, Chansa, Chausar, Denrgamia, Dharmahu, Ekaunia, Gaya, Hargami, Jainagaria, Jaipur, Janagadhia, Jardar, Ja m, Jaum, Jurvaunt, Kaigab, Kalaen Kant, Kapur, Kara f, Karaojt, Karaunti, Katur, Kharpait, Khavur, Kopinyar, Koranc h, Kujharia, Kumair, Kundi, Kurnat, Mahrat, Manerar , Maura, Niparia, Paithan, Parura, Pauriar, Purain Rat, Sama ipr, Sanshihar, Satwar, Sisah, Telar (of Awadhia Ha jjam), Unri: Utraunia of Kanaujia Hajjam: Baksar, Urkiser [H.H. Risley] Exogamous units/lineages (farik): [Bihar and/or Jha rkhand]
The Muhammadan barber belongs to one of the lowest ranks, and no respectable family will associate, or intermarry, with his. The Bajunia and Hajjam were formerly the same person, but of late years they have been gradually separating.
The Hajjam, like his namesake in other countries, dabbles in medicine and surgery, consequently he is often styled Bhedi,1 from his skill in extracting worms from decayed teeth, and "Mas-Kata," from circumcising boys. In many parts of the country he is also the Abdal, who gelds bulls; but any Mussulman peasant will castrate kids. When not otherwise employed, the Hajjam is found cultivating the soil.
Their women sell "mantras," or magical formulae, against toothache, earache, and neuralgic pains; and prepare liniments to cure colic and other internal disorders.
The Hajjam is not the important personage that the Hindu Napit is, being less independent and wayward, as his services are not indispensable.
