Bede people

Bede
Total population
Arounnd 17,00,000[1]
Languages
Thar, Bengali
Religion
Predominantly Muslim, Hinduism, Animism
Related ethnic groups
Bengalis, Indigenous people of Bangladesh, Doms, Bunos, Romani People and other Indo-Aryans

Bede (famine: Bedeni) or Bedey, also known as Mon-tong, is an Indo-Aryan nomadic ethnic group of Bangladesh.[1] The Bede traditionally live, travel, and earn their living on the river, which has given them the name of "Water Gypsy" or "River Gypsy".[2] Bedes are similar to European gypsies.[3] They travel in groups and never stay in one place for more than a couple of months. The Bedes are a marginalized group. Historically the Bedes were unable to vote as they did not own land, nor could they apply for banks loan or microcredit for the same reason. This situation persisted until 2008, when they were finally granted the right to vote.[4]

  1. ^ Shejuty, Nosin Nahian (11 July 2018). "Identity in flux: a comparative study of Manta and Beday". BRAC University.
  2. ^ Maksud, A. K. M.; Imtiaj, R. (3–5 December 2006). "The Nomadic Bede Community and Their Mobile School Program" (PDF). What Works for the Poorest: Knowledge, Policies and Practices. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  3. ^ Dalton, Edward (1978). Tribal History of Eastern India. New Delhi: Cosmo Publications.
  4. ^ Maksud, A. K. M.; Imtiaj, R. (3–5 December 2006). "The Nomadic Bede Community and Their Mobile School Program" (PDF). What Works for the Poorest: Knowledge, Policies and Practices. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2011.