Bhuiya
Encyclopedia
The Bhuiya are a Hindu
tribal found in North India
, and those in Uttar Pradesh
have scheduled caste status . They are also known as Roy.
, their territory extending from southern Uttar Pradesh
to West Bengal
. There exact connection with the neighbouring Biaga tribe is uncertain, but according to some traditions, both communities have a common origin. They are said to be one of the many Dravidian
tribal groupings found in the Vindhya region, that was pushed further into inaccessible territory by invading Indo-Aryan
s. In Uttar Pradesh
, the Bhuiya are divided into two endogamous
sub-groups, the Roy and Raghuvanshi. These two groups are further divided into exogamous
clans such as the Tirvah, Maghsiya, Dandwar, Maharwar and Mahathek.
, but still have many folk beliefs. Their tribal deity is Dihwar.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
tribal found in North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
, and those in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
have scheduled caste status . They are also known as Roy.
Origin
The Bhuiya are one of the most widespread tribal grouping in North IndiaNorth India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
, their territory extending from southern Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
to West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
. There exact connection with the neighbouring Biaga tribe is uncertain, but according to some traditions, both communities have a common origin. They are said to be one of the many Dravidian
Dravidian peoples
Dravidian peoples is a term used to refer to the diverse groups of people who natively speak languages belonging to the Dravidian language family. Populations of speakers of around 220 million are found mostly in Southern India. Other Dravidian people are found in parts of central India, Sri Lanka,...
tribal groupings found in the Vindhya region, that was pushed further into inaccessible territory by invading Indo-Aryan
Indo-Aryans
Indo-Aryan is an ethno-linguistic term referring to the wide collection of peoples united as native speakers of the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-Iranian family of Indo-European languages...
s. In Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, the Bhuiya are divided into two endogamous
Endogamy
Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such basis as being unsuitable for marriage or other close personal relationships. A Greek Orthodox Christian endogamist, for example, would require that a marriage be only with another...
sub-groups, the Roy and Raghuvanshi. These two groups are further divided into exogamous
Exogamy
Exogamy is a social arrangement where marriage is allowed only outside of a social group. The social groups define the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity. In social studies, exogamy is viewed as a combination of two related aspects:...
clans such as the Tirvah, Maghsiya, Dandwar, Maharwar and Mahathek.
Present circumstances
, the Bhuiya are mainly settled agriculturists, but historically they were hunter gatherers. Many still collect roots and tubers from the forest. The Bhuiya are now HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, but still have many folk beliefs. Their tribal deity is Dihwar.