Chik Baraik


Chik Baraik is a community found in Indian State of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha. They were traditionally Weaver.

Etymology

"Chik" means cloth in Prakrit. Due to participation in battle by many weaver they were given title of "Baraik" by the Kings.

History

Chik baraik are the weaver caste scattered throughout southern and western part of Chota Nagpur plateau. It is believed that they originated from a scare crow of Lord Shiva. Anthropologist Edward Tuite Dalton stated that they are remnants of Aryan or hindu. In first Census of India during British Raj in 1872, Chik-Baraik were annexed in tribe list as semi-hindu aboriginal. In 1891 Census, Herbert Hope Risley has categorised Chik-Baraik as sub-caste of weaving caste Pans.

Culture

The traditional occupation of Chik Baraik is making clothes such as Dhoti, Sari, Gamcha etc. They speak Nagpuri an Indo-Aryan language.
There are several Vansh or clans among Chik-Baraik which are taken from various animals, objects and places includes Baunkra, Boda, Chand, Jamakiar, Kothi, Kouwa, Kanjyasuri, Loha, Mahanandia, Malua, Masath, Naurangi, Parwar, Rajhans, Singhi etc.
Their deities are Devi Mai, Surjahi and Barpahari. They also worship moon, earth and other deities. Snake is also worshiped as ancestor of the caste. Birth pollution observed for six days. They cremate or bury the dead and observe death pollution for ten days. Their traditional festivals are Asari, Nawakhani, Karam, Jitia, Sohrai, Fagun etc. Their folk dance are Jhumair, Domkach, Fagua etc.

Official classification

The Chik Baraik are included in Scheduled Tribe in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. They are known as Chikwa in Chhattisgarh, Badaik in Odisha and included in Scheduled Caste.