Bhokta community sets example with dowry-free marriages in Gaya

Gaya: The Gaya Gazetteer of 1906 describes Bhoktas, a small tribal group living largely in the southern parts of Gaya and neighbouring areas of Chatra district in Jharkhand, as “aboriginal”.

Yet in several social practices, including dowry-less marriages and women’s empowerment, the community appears far more progressive than many other social groups.Identifying themselves as Hindu, members of the community follow fewer rituals and place greater emphasis on social equality. According to Udit Kumar, a young Bhokta from Sukradih village under Jhari panchayat of Amas block, dowry-less marriage is the established norm within the community.From time immemorial, Bhoktas have shunned dowry. Community elders also play a decisive role in resolving disputes. In his thirties, Kumar said he does not recall a single marriage in Sukradih or in the two neighbouring Bhokta villages where dowry was taken or given.According to oral traditions within the community, Bhoktas abandoned the practice of dowry nearly 200 years ago after a dispute involving a paltry sum of one aana.

Community elders say the traditional code includes strict penalties for anyone violating the rule. “The community code has penal provisions like public bashing for dowry takers, but dowry-less marriage is so well ingrained in the community culture that the penal provision has become redundant,” said Ramchandra Bhokta, a community elder.Child marriage, which was once common in the community, has largely disappeared.

Shakuntala Devi, a resident of the village, said both her daughters — who are soon to be married — are above eighteen years of age.“Early marriage is still preferred in the community but we have said good bye to child marriage,” said Shakuntala.Women in the community believe the absence of dowry has also ensured girl children are not treated as a burden on families.Reliable estimates suggest around 3,000 Bhoktas live in three adjoining villages of Amas block, where all residents belong to the same community.

Educational attainment remains low. The number of graduates in the three villages is around 20, while the number of matriculates is also limited. Poverty and economic hardship have led to a high school dropout rate.Most villagers are marginal farmers or agricultural labourers. Many young men from the villages migrate to Delhi, Chhattisgarh and other places in search of employment.Jhari panchayat mukhiya Chandani Kumari said Bhoktas are a closely knit community that is assertive yet law-abiding.

According to her, disputes are generally settled within the community itself.“The best thing about the group is that it has stuck to the ‘no dowry norm’. Efforts are being made to improve their education level,” said Kumari.Community members describe themselves as pragmatic rather than dogmatic in matters of tradition. Kumar pointed out marriage rituals are not always conducted by Brahmins. On occasions when Brahmins are unavailable due to multiple ceremonies or when families cannot afford their services, non-Brahmins such as barbers step in to perform the rituals.“There are occasions when on account of heavy marriage rush or poor paying capacity of the Bhoktas, Brahmins are not available to conduct the marriage rituals. In such cases the Nai deputises for the Brahmins to conduct the rituals,” said Kumar.