Bawcha

Brief Details of Bawcha

Bawcha

Except some historical information, no written evidence is available about origin of Bawcha tribe. Bawcha must have their origin in Yadav dynasty or Pandav dynasty. This is presumed on the basis of custom of marriage between maternal cousin. This system also prevailed in Pandavas too. As heard from the elderly people in oral communication; Bawcha have migrated from Maharashtra for socio-political conditions and settled in Gujarat. According to them, Bawcha were very active during Maharaja Chhatrapati Shivaji. It is also said that Bawchas were recruited in Shivaji’s army.

Population

Bawcha tribes have settled around old Gaikwadi region. They are found near Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Kheda, Godhra, Bharuch, Mehsana, Patan etc. Most of these people are settled in Ahmedabad-Vadodara. According to 2001 census, the population of Bawcha was 4125 (2148 male and 1977 female). They all constitute 0.05 percent of tribal population of the State of Gujarat.

Habitation / House-Hold Kit

Bawcha people stay among other backward class people in various parts of urban areas. The areas are often unclean. The near relatives, daughters, son-in-laws etc. also stay around building their individual houses. All the houses are not alike. They vary from small hutments to pucca houses built with cement and bricks having RCC roofing.

They keep cots, mattresses, racks, chair and table. Usually they sleep on floor. Being more number of members in a family, they have difficulties in staying in a single house, having to sit, sleep and stay to-gather. Those Bawcha who have not land or a house stay in hired premises according to their economic conditions.

They keep utensils made from brass, copper, aluminium, stainless steel, clay, plastic etc. They include utensils for cooking, eating and bringing water. Besides, they keep cots, tables, chairs, cycle, clock, radio, tape recorder, Television, baskets, boxes, cup-board, machine, fan, musical instruments, gas etc.

Dress

The Bawcha men used to put on small dhoti, shirt and a safa, a piece of cloth covering head. The women used to put on dress like Maharashtrian women- saree covering two legs separately and a blouse on top of it. Now a days, Bavla men, women and children put on dress like their main stream counterpart people, a woman wearing a saree, petticoat, and blouse or young women in Panjabi dress and Children wearies shirt and half pant. Women put on golden or silver ornaments - earrings, necklace, solid kada on hand, small kanti on nose and silver sankla (an anklet with small bells on the legs). Men put on silver or golden rings and a chain in neck made from gold or silver.

Dialects

Bawcha / Khamcha speak a language which has Marathi influence; but usually they try to use local language with their peculiar accent. Having settled in Gujarat, they know better Gujarati under influence of modernism.

Food / Drinks

Bawcha are both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian. Wheat, rice and Bajra are main food grains. They cook Bajra loaf, vegetables and eat it with butter milk. The working Boplas also eat rice, dal, vegetable, pulses, sweets etc. On occasions, they prepare sweets like lavsi or Shira- Sweets made from wheat flour and ghee-jaggery. Bawcha may go for non-vegetarian food once in a week or a fortnight. Again on social or religious festivals they consume chicken or goat-meat. Tea is consumed regularly twice or thrice a day. Wine is also consumed occasionally depending upon place; but wine has special place in their socio-cultural life throughout their life-span. Bawcha are hospitable people.

Education

As per 2001 census, the level of literacy is 65.64 percent. Since Bawcha stay in urban areas along with rural areas, the level of education is little higher.

Religion

Bawcha believe in Hindu religion. They worship Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Kalkamata, Ambamata, Bahucharmata, Hanumanji, Ganpati, Lord Shankar etc. However, they have more faith in Goddesses rather than God, Devli Madi and 64 Jogani are their main Goddesses and they are worshiped as Family goddess. Besides, their traditional Gods are Vaghdev, Kaka Balia, etc. They celebrate Navratri, Holi, Diwali, Janmastami etc. all Hindu festivals. The celebrations are through Bhoova-Bhagat.

Occupations

Earlier Bawchas used to prepare Bamboo baskets; but that is decayed now at least in cities. Now a day Bawchas go for casual labour work, work as mill workers, press-workers, hotel-boy, carrier, rikshas driver, painters etc. They do all petty jobs and carry on their lives. The jobs taken by them are not higher than peon or a clerk.

Caste-Panch

The Caste Panch of Bawla includes Mukhi, Kotwal and other members. Mukhi is a main member and he conducts the proceedings. Kotwal plays important role during social and religious functions as well as occasion of death of its members. Panch usually handles cases of social conflicts, physical man handling, marriage, divorce, re-marriage, counseling, social service etc. But, now days, panch is gradually losing its status. People often resort to legal measures.

Women in Menstruation

When a woman first time gets in menstruation, it is said that she has sat a far or that her hand is not clean. This is symbolic way of expression. Usually a girl starts her menstruation period around 14 to 17 years of age. During these four days, her utensils, cloths, cot, mattress etc. are kept separate and away. She does not touch anybody nor is she allowed to cook, wash, drink or worship the goddess.

Pregnancy

When the menstruation stops, the woman understands that she is pregnant. Then she informs her husband. She knows that it is result of her sexual relations with her man. They also consider it to be grace of 64 Jagni Mata (Goddess) or Any other Goddess. Those who have faith and kept a vow believe so. The vows are kept with Goddess Bahuchar Ma, Khodiyar Ma, 64 Jogani, Amba Ma, Meldi Ma etc.

Pre-Birth Celebration

In Bavcha community, the celebration of pre-birth of a first child is performed depending upon one's capacity. It’s performed at in-law's place. All near relatives are invited. The woman is made to set on wooden patla with a holy red power (Kanku) or Holy safron powder (sindur's) tilak in forehead along with some rice on that tilak. Some rituals are performed. This ceremony is celebrated on completion of seven months of pregnancy.

Delivery

The first delivery is performed in the house of parents of a woman. She is served nutritious food including sweet made from Gum, Jaggery, Ghee, Wheat flour. She is regularly given milk also. The delivery is done in one corner of a room. However, these days, women are taken to hospital for delivery. Or if they cannot afford due to extreme poverty, they call Dai at home. A Dai is given Rs. 15/- to 20/- in cash, food cereals, Jaggery, Chillies, Oil, rice, Ghee etc. Sixth day (Chhatthi) The Chhatthi ceremony is performed after 5 or 10 days. In case of poor economic conditions, it could be celebrated after 5 weeks also. A simple ceremony is performed by making a Tilak on forehead.

Giving Name

The name to a child is given by father's sister. If however, she is not available, name is given by a Brahmin or even by family members themselves.

Engagement

In Bawcha, we find marriage among same Gotra also (Very near relations) because they have no Gotra system. However, marriage between material cousin or paternal cousin is not allowed. Bawcha marries in Bawcha tribe only. They have liberty to select suitable boy/girl. If there is no handicap, if one has a good character, noble background and good qualities, he/she is preferred. Marriage is done after attaining majority - between 15 to 25 years. Whenever a child becomes of marriageable age, parents try to find a suitable match.

Marriage Ritual

In Bawcha tribe marriage is performed by Kotwal. He finds out auspicious day for marriage. Before that, they decide mutual issues - how many people will join ? Bride-groom's marriage procession, what will be the amount of exchange, what lunch will be served, etc. It the economic conditions of girl's party are poor; they also decide how to provide some financial assistance to them; so that they may organize the function without difficulty. The relatives are informed by sending an invitation card of wedding. As decided by Kotwal, the persons (say 60 to 70) join a marriage procession and through Truck, tempo or tractor, go to bride's place. If the place happens to be a town, they may go by a bus also. At bride's place, they are welcome by dance and songs. After dinner, they proceed to marriage pandol. The marriage ritual is performed for a couple of hours after which the Kotwal asks the couple to exchange the holy thread's garland in each other's neck and he recites holy Mantras; and the final ritual of Saptpadi is performed in the presence of bride's brother. Kanyadan is done by parents. The total expenditure in marriage ranges from Rs. 4000/- to anything depending upon affordability.

Divorce

If there is mutual doubt about character on each other, if there are constant conflicts, if there is conflict between the girl and her in-laws, especially mother-in-law / sister-in-law; and when the conflict cannot be resolved even by elderly people of household or those of caste panch, the solution is sought by Divorce. Divorce can be granted both by a caste-panch and through court decree. If divorce is granted, the ornaments given by bride groom's party are to be returned. If there are children during married life, the younger ones go with the wife and those grown up, stay with the husband.

Re-Marriage

In Bawcha, the widow in younger age can go for remarriage. She can even get an unmarried boy. If not, she can remarry with a widower or divorcee. Same way, the widower person also gets re-married with an unmarried girl or a divorcee.

Inter-Caste Marriage

There have been some instances of inter-caste marriages for one reason or the other.

Death

After death, the family members start crying. Listening to this, the neighbors and nearby relatives get to-gather. Even the daughter and her in-laws are informed. The dead body is taken on ground after cleaning the place with fresh clay or by water. The family members / relatives prepare a funeral bire (Thathdi) from bamboos. Coconut is tied on all four corners. The dead body is made to bath. Haldi-paste is also applied. New clothes are worn, some rice-holy safron powder (sindoor), holy pink-colour powder (Gulal) etc. is sprayed. Gual is sprayed on all. The funeral bier is taken to crematorium. Food-groins, sweets (Jalebi) and money are tossed in air. Women don’t go up to crematorium. They return home from nearest cross-roads. The elder son gives fire to the funeral after dropping Ganga-Jal (holy water) in the dead body’s mouth. After the dead body is completely fired, the family members/ relatives return home. After six days, relatives/family members take a total shave, known as Sumvala. There is also a custom of Agiyarama or Barma performed on 11th / 12th day respectively. The stone monuments are also erected.

Speciality

Usually Bawcha stay in cities / urban areas. They celebrate festival of Goddess. Their original identity of dance and music and their original occupation of horse-care/stable maintenance are now forgotten.