| Barujibi বারুজীবি |
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|---|---|
| Kuladevi (female) | Simhavahini |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Bengali |
| Populated States | West Bengal |
Barujibi (Bengali: বারুজীবি) is a Bengali Hindu caste whose traditional occupation is the cultivation and trade of betel. The governments of India and West Bengal both have classified Barujibis under Other Backward Classes since 1994.[1]
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The Brihaddharma Purana classified the Barujibis among the upper mixed castes in the caste hierarchy. According to William Wilson Hunter, the Barujibis belonged to the Navashakha group of castes. According to Dr. Maniklal Sinha, the Tamralipta region is the original habitat of the Barujibis.
The origin myth of the Barujibis state that there was once a Brahmin, who was a worshipper of Shiva. The Brahmin was engaged in several occupations including agricultre, weaving and betel cultivations and therefore couldn't find enough time for the worship of Shiva. Shiva appeared in his dreams and ordered him to worship with devotion. His material needs would be taken care automatically. However, the Brahmin didn't pay heed to the words. He continued to neglect the worship of Shiva. Shiva cursed him and turned him to a Barujibi, whose occupation would be the cultivation of betel. The Brahmin is considered to be the progenitor of the Barujibis.
The Barujibis of western Bengal are predominantly Vaishnavas, while those from eastern Bengal are Shaktas. Simhavahini is the titualar deity of the Barujibis. She is worshipped on the shukla panchami of either Baishakh or Agrahayan in the betel plantations. An image of the goddess or a ghat is placed to the north or east of the plantation and worshipped with flowers, bel leaves and chandmala. She is also worshipped during the Durga Puja and Kali Puja. The Barujibis of eastern Bengal descent worship Simhavahini on the 4th of Baishakh. In Bangladesh, the Barujibis worship Usha on 9th of Ashwin on the banks of Lakshya river.
The Barujibis perform their worship without the services of any Brahmin. Traditionally Brahmins are banned from entering betel plantations. According to a legend, once a Brahmin used to cultivate betel alongside the traditional vocation of worship. However, he could not devote quality time to either of his occupations. As a result of the neglect, the betel leaves grew alarmingly. The Brahmin used his sacred thread to tie the plants and stop their unusual growth. However the plants continued to grow. At last a Kayastha solved the problem and stopped the plants from growing unusually. It is believed that henceforth, the Brahmins were barred from entering into betel plantations.
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