Dalit and their Products: An Anthropological Study among the Rishi Community

Abstract

This is an anthropological research on Dalits and their products in South-western districts of Bangladesh. Dalit community are the largest politically, socially and economically excluded community throughout the Indian Subcontinent. They face numerous social stigma and are often classified as untouchables, a phenomenon which is deeply rooted in the history of the subcontinent. The social stigma they face across the subcontinent is often related to their work which is considered dirty in our society, which ranges from repairing footwear to cleaning human faeces. Bangladesh is no different either. Here around 5.5 million of Dalit people belonging 94 categories of Dalits, has very low standard of living (IDSN, 2006). The basic human rights as enunciated in the constitution of Bangladesh often elude them. They struggle really hard to meet their daily needs and their occupations are hardly included into the mainstream economy. The objectives of this study are to assess the present socio-economic condition, traditional knowledge and skill, key barriers of the occupation, way out of the problems and so on. The study is divided into a total of nine chapters. In chapter 1 the research introduces the problem and the background of the study and also describes the importance, theoretical framework and conceptual issues. Chapter 2 focuses more on methods and materials, the current literatures on the topic to conduct this research. Chapter 3 states the mythology of different Dalit communities and their occupation. The current socio-economic characteristics of different Dalit communities are presented in chapter 4 of the paper. Chapter 5 analyses the product and service based occupational profile of the Rishi community. Chapter 6 focuses on different types of manufacturing products produced by the Rishi community, case study findings, and theSWOT(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)analysis, seasonal calendar of each of the product. Similarly, Chapter 7 discusses the services that are provided by the Rishi Community. Chapter 8 then talks about the problems and prospects of the products and services that are being produced by the Rishi Community and finally Chapter 9 draws the conclusion and suggests way out the problems. The present study has been conducted in Dhulanda Rishi para as well as other villages of Tala Upazila under Satkhira district, a south western district of Bangladesh. The present study chooses the Rishi para in my village Dhulanda for field work due to my familiarity with the Dalitxxiii|P a g e communities. In consultation with the local NGOs (Paritran, Bhumija Foundation and Uttaran) the present study was conducted among the 37 villages of 12 unions under Tala Upazila. This anthropological study has been conducted using different types of anthropological research methods and techniques conforming to the objectives of the study. An integrated approach (qualitative and quantitative) has been taken for the purpose of the study. The data has been collected, analyzed and presented at different levels like-individual, household, and community. This chapter is going to deal with some important aspects such as- methodology, methods and techniques, research design, literature reviews and other relevant issues Theoretical framework is the foundation for understanding the research issues and linkage among the different variables. It helps as a guiding principle for analyzing the research issues. In this section the study focuses on some important issues related to conceptualization of the three phenomena such as class, caste and economic principles implicated in a social system, which is the major cause of caste inequality. The study further focuses on how these issues lead to the Dalits social deprivation. Karl Marx and Weberian theory, subaltern theory, capability theory and Ambedkarism have been used in this study. This framework helps to conceptualize the development paradigm in the context of Dalit communities in Bangladesh. The comprehensive reviewing of the literature was an important segment for this study. Because it provides an up-to-date data for understanding the subject and identifying the methods used in previous research on the topic. Moreover the literary works provided information corresponding to the present research findings. The reviewed literature acted as a stepping-stone towards achievement of the study objectives. In fact, the literatures reviews provided a solid background to back one’s investigation and helped to understand the nature of Dalits and their development. The present study has attempted to examine the mythological connection of different groups of Rishi Community such as dwelling pattern of Rishi community, different mythologies, different aspects of Rishis background, untouchability and the origin of Rishi Community, traditional skills, skinning and skin trade, etc. They are of sewing and making footwear, drum and musicianmaking groups, and contemporary involvement of making different products and so on. The products produced by them are cane crafts, bamboo crafts, fattening of cows, goats, cocks,xxiv|P a g e breeding of cows and goats (semen insemination), making drums, manufacturing footwear, footwear polishing or repairing, making home appliances or showpieces, wooden products, raw skin processing, working as porters,barbers and village security persons. Access to basic amenities such as safe drinking water, electicity, sanitation, health care and communication are impertive for a decent life. The need for these basic amenities has been universally recognized. In Rishi community majority of people who are residing in Kancha houses are using kancha latrines. Education level of the respondents is absolutely low and the average land size per house hold is only 0.13 acres. Majority stated that due to inadequacy of food they are unable to take food 3 times a day. The respondents in different occupations are relying on their own funds than on government support for operating their daily activities. . The main occupation of Rishi community and their products or services, their involvement of other type of products or services, learning process, selling process, income, disease due to occupation. Around 64% of the respondents are in the age group of 36-59 years, 27% in the category of 18-35 years and 10% above 60 years. It is interesting to note that 7.5% of respondents belonged to cane craft and raw skin processing while 7% belong to semen supply, drum making and footwear repairing.4.5% in the age group of 18-35 years are involved in wood related works and raw skin processing. In the case of respondents with age above 60, most of them are involved in bamboo craft followed by drum making. Majority of respondents are in the age group of 18-35, 36-59 and above 60 are involved in some activity or the other. Regarding distribution of occupation with respect of age, the results revealed that majority (62%) of the respondents are in the age group of 36-59 years and 14% are involved in raw skin processing and 12% in cane craft and other dominant occupations are cattle fattening through castration and bamboo crafting. With regard to category of 18-35 years, which constituted 22% the dominant occupations, most of them were found to be engaged in raw skin processing. Different types of householdhead’s occupational profiles have been studied intensively and with special attention to the traditionally skilled people from Rishi community. In Rishi community chief employment lies in manufacturing product for use or sale using labor, tool, chemical or formulation. It is sometimes more precisely expressed as artisanal handicraft, a wide variety ofxxv|P a g e types of work, where useful and decorative objects are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. It is a traditional main sector of craft for Rishi people and applies to a wide range of creative activities that are related to making things with one's hands and skill, including work with bamboo, cane, leather, jute, plant fibers, etc. In this chapter an attempt is made to discuss in detail 6 manufacturing related groups viz., bamboo craft, cane craft, carpentry, showpiece maker, footwear craft maker, drum maker and player. Case studies of successful people under each occupation are presented. A detailed seasonal calendar with SWOT analysis is given at the end. Services are activities that are provided by a section of people in Rishi community, such as semen insemination through male goats rearing, cattle castration, raw skin processing and footwear repairing.According to economic theory, consumption of goods and services is assumed to provide utility (satisfaction) to the consumer or end-user, although businesses also consume goods and services in the course of producing other services. Services in a Dalit community have different dimensions. If you employ a person and pay them a regular wage or salary, they are an employee. If you negotiate a contract with an individual to provide a service, with that person billing you for services rendered, that person is a contractor. In general, a person who provides a professional service is called a consultant. In this chapter an attempt is made to discuss in detail 4 service providing groups. Case studies of successful people under each occupation are presented. A detailed seasonalcalendar with SWOT analysis is given at the end. The study has been carried out to unfold the development features of Rishi community. However, it was also needed to explore the social dynamics of Rishi community. Most of the Rishi Community people do not have any marketing strategy for their products. They lack capital, skills, modern technology, marketing facilities and financial inclusion which are identified as the key threat to their development. The research has also revealed that there is a need among the Rishi Community for enhancing their skills through various trainings. They also need capital support to sustain their industries and policy support from the government. However, considering all these issues it is revealed that the Rishi Community in Bangladesh is largely ignored and kept aside in our society. Their products are being used by us everyday, yet the social stigma surrounding them decreases their market opportunities thus reducing their livelihood. This paper explores in details, the historical causes of the social stigma around thexxvi|P a g e Dalit population and took sample from south west coastal areas of Bangladesh to understand the current occupations they are involved in and the problems they are facing. It has been identified from the paper that the historical and cultural barriers are the biggest threat to the livelihood of Rishi community. Moreover, modern technology is also replacing their traditional occupation. Thus in order tobring the Rishi community in the mainstream economy it is very important to increase their market capabilities and protect and promote their traditional practices. The recommendations from this paper can be basis to start from, which can be further explored through more research to have definitiveanswers. I would like to conclude by reiterating Amartya Sen’s famous quote “Poverty is not just lack of money, it is not having the capability to realize one’s full potential as a human being”.