Doai
Doai
This section has been extracted from THE TRIBES and CASTES of BENGAL. Ethnographic Glossary. Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Press. 1891. . |
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Doi, Chalanata, Baidya, Lakhiputraa, Patia Das, a low cul-tivating caste of Eastern Bengal, especially numerous along the banks of the Lakhya river in Dacca. the Doai are probably allied to the Hajang, a Mongrel Garotribe of Maimansinh and 'Silhet, bordering on the Garo Hills, who under Brahmanical influence have broken off from the hillmen. A division of the Rochh Mandai, however, bears the name Doi, and the Danyi are described by Buchanan as the most depraved of the Rochh tribe, and the most impure of the Rajbansi. The Doals of Rungpur, according to Mr. Damant, have no Brahmans, but employ members of their own caste as Purohits, and any stray Bairagi as Guru, the sraddha being held on the eleventh day after decease. They eat pork and drink spirits, while their principal occupation is carrying palankinB and fishing. The Doal of Dacca are described by Dr. Wiseas sbort, squat men, with an Indo-Chinese type of features ; others are tall and muscular with large black eyes, acquiline noses, and a profusion of hair on the face, while their complexion is of a light brown. At the present day the Doals have become 80 thoroughly Hinduised, and have 80 completely lost their original language and customs, that very little information can be got from them. They have Patit Brahmans of their own, who confesf: to having been their priests for three generations only. The weddings and funerals are the same as those of other low-caste Hindus, the sraddha being likewise celebrated on the thirtieth day. The Doai will drink from the vessels of the lowest Slldras, but even the Bhuinml is disgraced if he drinks from theirs. 'they disavow the use of pork and spirits, although their neighbours affirm that indulgence in both is uni versal. 'l'hey all belong 0 to one gotra, the Aliman, and their sole title is Das. Disputes are settled by a headman, Pradhan, whose office is not hereditary.
Their religious festivals are Hindu, the majority being Vaish-navas, while a °Gosain or Rairagi is the Guru. Before felling a Gujali or Sal-tree, offerings are made to Chandi', or Durga, the Brahman officiating ; while according to their own account no religious rite is ever celebrated without the guidance of the family priest. Living as they always do on the edge of the forest, they cut firewood for the market, and make ruatting (pat) , whence the name Patia Das, but do not catch fish for sale or engage themselves as boatmen. They have lost their ancestral language, and some of them occasionally learn to read and write Bengali, being employed as Tahsildars, or rent-collectors by landlords; while the illiterate become watchmen and messengers.
Doai
(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: Baisya Behara [West Bengal] Baidya, Lakhiputra, Patia Das [H.H. Risley] Titles: Behara [West Bengal] Das [H.H. Risley] Surnames: Baisya, Das, Roy [West Bengal] Gotra: Kashyap [West Bengal] Aliman [H.H. Risley]
