Raut, Rawat
This article is an extract from
THE TRIBES and CASTES of BENGAL. Ethnographic Glossary. Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Press. 1891. . |
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Raut, Rawat
This, the most numerous class of Mihtars in Eastern Bengal, are generally known as Doriya, or dog-keepers. By their own account two subdivisions of the family are recognised, namely, those residing on the north, and those settled to the south of the river Karma-nasa, neither of whom will intermarry, or associate with the other. The former, also called Tirhutia Rauts, are degraded by manufacturing brooms and baskets, like the Doms. Both Hindu and Mussulman Rauts are found in Eastern Bengal, but the latter never circumcise their children, and after death are not allowed to lie in the public graveyard. The Raut, though despised by the people around, looks down on the Ssha and Bhuinmali as still more degraded.
Rauts are employed as sweepers in private houses, and look after the dogs and cats of the household, a duty occasionally discharged by the Lalbegi. Like the Helas, who are often identified with the Rauts, they refuse to touch food brought from the European table, or handle the carcass of any dead animal, as is done by the Lalbegi, Dom, and Bhuinmali. At the caste Panchait every member must attend, but those assuming Muhammadan customs abstain from touching the pork and spirits partaken of by their so-called Hindu brethren. In Hindustan the Raut cultivates the soil, in Eastern Bengal he never does.
Their marriage ceremonies resemble those of low Sudras; but on the wedding day the bridegroom rides, while the bride walks.
Rauts worship many Hindu deities, but the principal festival is in Sravan (July-August), when they proceed to the jungle, carrying a young pig, which is sacrificed to Devi, or Bandi Devi, the favourite divinity of low caste Hindus.
When a Raut dies, the body is wrapped in a clean white sheet, and the mourners on the way to the grave keep shouting "Ram! Ram! Sat hai!" "O Ram, it is true!" On their return to the house of mourning each one drinks a little sweet sharbat, after which spirits are passed round, and the company disperses. On the following morning the name of the deceased is inscribed on a leaf and steeped in milk, which is then poured on the ground. After seven days the Satwini Pujah, or Ghusl, is observed, on which occasion all the relatives proceed to the river and bathe. The meals are cooked in the house, but not until ten days have expired can any of the inmates shave. A feast, known as the "Dasami Kriya," is then celebrated, at which, all the men being shaved and dressed in their holiday attire, copious draughts of spirits are drunk. On the first anniversary of the death a similar feast is kept.
