Dhakar Caste

Dhakar is a small caste of Central India mainly inhabiting Bastar Division. The name of the caste `Dhakar` signifies a man of illegal descent. It is also applied to other castes of mixed Rajput origin. In Central India this term is used for a particular class who are considered as the descendants of alliances between Brahmin and Rajput immigrants and female members of some indigenous tribes. Just like the Halba tribe, they are divided into two groups namely Purait and Surait or mixed. Further, the Puraits and Suraits form endogamous groups of the caste.

In Dhakar community, marriages are usually arranged by parents. However, an adult girl has the freedom to choose her own husband. The wedding ceremonies are performed as per the set rituals and customs of the society. The Dhakars also follow several birth as well as funeral rites. In Dhakar society, the members observe a certain period of mourning after a death that terminates with a feast and it continues until the feast is given. After the death of a family member, the mourners shave their heads along with beard and moustache. Like the Halbas, the Dhakar caste also consider the iron metal as sacred and they consider it a sin to heat iron. The Dhakars are chiefly engaged in cultivation and they work as farm servants and field labourers.

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