Nagarchi
Contents |
Nagarchi
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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A synonym for Dami in Darjiling.
Nagarchi
(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: Nagaro [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh]
Exogamous units/clans: Pandru, Tekam, Wike [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh]
From Joshua Project
Population
150,000 [presumably as in 2011] in India
An estimated 18,000 live in Bangladesh
Main Languages
They speak 32 languages but mainly Hindi (94,000 speakers) and Chhattisgarhi
Their estimated population, language- wise
Chhattisgarhi 32,000
Sadri 10,000
Bengali 5,100
Kurux 2,600
Santhali 2,500 Magahi 1,100
Odia 500
Marathi 300
Munda 200
Punjabi, Eastern 100
Nepali 70
Korwa 40
Gujarati 40
Mundari 20
Tamil 20
Main Religions
Hinduism (96.67%)
Christianity 0.61% *
Their Beliefs
The Nagarchi practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Some Hindus see them are nominal Hindus because they will play their drums at Muslim events.
The Nagarchi worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Nagarchi visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.
The main yearly holidays of the Nagarchi people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.
Subgroups and their estimated Populations
Badyakar 29,000
Nagesia 25,000
Telha 6,200
Dhuria 6,100
Senduri 5,500
Profile
The Nagarchi are a people who live in east India. Their name comes from a word for kettledrum, "nagara." The Nagarchi make these drums and play them at both Hindu and Muslim festivals and significant family events. Another use of these drums was as a type of clock. The Nagarchi would beat the drums at sunrise and sunset. Still another use of the kettledrums was at the entrance of palaces and forts at the coming and going of dignitaries. Nagarchi women often served in villages as midwives for the poorer castes.
The Nagarchi fall into the Scheduled Caste category. Many of the Nagarchi are illiterate.
Livelihood, lifestyle
While the Nagarchi's traditional occupation was as drummers, today most Nagarchi work in agriculture and raising animals. They reside in villages with other castes. The Nagarchi marry within their group but not within the same clan. Sons inherit an equal share of their father's property. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. The newly married couple lives with or near the groom's parents.
The Nagarchi are not vegetarians but as Hindus will not eat beef. If they live with or near Muslims, they will not eat pork so as to not offend they neighbors.
Location
The Nagarchi live in 10 Indian states including the eastern Indian states of Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Estimated population, statewise
Chhattisgarh
115,000
West Bengal 16,000
Jharkhand 16,000
Madhya Pradesh 600
Tripura 600
Rajasthan 500
Bihar 400
Odisha 400
Maharashtra 300
Andaman and Nicobar 30
