Chik Baraik

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Chik Baraik
Regions with significant populations
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam
Languages
Nagpuri, Hindi
Religion
Hinduism, Ethnic religion

Chik Baraik (also Chik, Baraik and Badaik) is a community found in Indian State of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha. They were traditionally Weaver.[1][2][3]

Etymology[edit]

"Chik" means cloth in Prakrit. Due to participation in battle by many weaver they were given title of "Baraik" by the Kings which signifies "great".[4]

History[edit]

Chik baraik are the weaver caste scattered throughout southern and western part of Chota Nagpur plateau. They make traditional dress like Dhoti, Sari, Karia. Cultivation is their secondary source of earning. They also used to be soldiers and Palace guards during reign of Nagvanshi dynasty.[5] It is believed that they originated from a scare crow of Lord Shiva.

Anthropologist Edward Tuite Dalton(1872) stated that they are remnants of Aryan or hindu rather than Dravidian or Kolarian. They not follow Hindu restrictions on foods but worship Hindu god and Goddess. They have no different culture to mark them different from hindus. In first Census of India during British Raj in 1872, Chik-Baraik were annexed in tribe list as semi-hindu aboriginal. In 1891 Census, Herbert Hope Risley(1891) has categorised Chik-Baraik as sub-caste of weaving caste Pans (Weaving Caste in Odisha). According to Risley in North Odisha, South and West Chotanagpur reside various weaver caste known by different names in different places such by Pamoa, Pan, Pab, Panika, Chik, Chik-Baraik, Baraik, Ganda, Swansi, Mahato, Tanti etc. According to him their origin is now difficult to trace but they have various totemic clans such as Bhainsa (Buffalo), Kachhuwa (Turtle), Nag (Corba), Raja Kauwa (Crow), Mayur (Peacock), different types of dear, Wild berry etc. which connects them to Dravidian.[5] Most Anthropologist conclude that Chik-Baraik are descendants of some Aryan weaving castes who settled in Chotanagpur at an early date.[1][2]

Present circumstances[edit]

They practice group endogamy and clan exogamy. There are several Vansh or clans among Chik-Baraik which are taken from various animals, objects and places includes Baunkra (Heron), Boda (Russell's viper), Chand (moon), Jamakiar, Kanjyasuri, Kothi, Kouwa (Crow), Loha (Iron), Mahanandia, Malua, Masath, Naurangi, Parwar, Rajhans (Hamsa), Singhi (Asian stinging catfish) etc.

The traditional occupation of Chik Baraik is making clothes such as Dhoti, Sari, Gamcha etc. In modern times, cheap and attractive clothes are overfloded in market. Too much depend on modern colth have crippled traditional arts of weaving. Though Chik-Baraik woven cloth is coarse and relatively unattractive than modern cloths yet it enjoys seasonal demands for its ceremonial and ritual value.[1]

Culture[edit]

Chik Baraik speak Nagpuri an Indo-Aryan language. Their deities are Devi Mai, Surjahi (Sun) and Bar Pahari (hill deity). They also worship moon, earth and other deities. Snake is also worshiped as ancestor of the caste. Birth pollution observed for six days. They cremate or bury the dead and observe death pollution for ten days. Their traditional festivals are Asari, Nawakhani, Karam, Jitia, Sohrai, Fagun etc. Their folk dance are Jhumair, Domkach, Fagua etc.[2]

Official classification[edit]

The Chik Baraik are included in Scheduled Tribe in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.[6] They are known as Chikwa in Chhattisgarh, Badaik in Odisha and included in Scheduled Caste.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Pfeffer, Georg; Behera, Deepak Kumar (1997). Contemporary Society: Developmental issues, transition, and change. ISBN 9788170226420. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Minz, Diwakar; Hansda, Delo Mai (2010). Encyclopaedia of Scheduled Tribes in Jharkhand. ISBN 9788178351216. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  3. ↑ Singh, Kumar Suresh (1992). People of India. ISBN 9788170463009. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  4. ↑ "Chik Baraik". southasiabibliography.de.[permanent dead link]
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "लाल पाड़ : झारखंड के चिक बड़ाईक आदिवासियों की वस्त्र कला". sahapedia. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "List of notified Scheduled Tribes" (PDF). Census India. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  7. ↑ "THE THIRD SCHEDULE". cgsccommission.com.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/index.php?title=Chik_Baraik&oldid=195121"