A Report on Lifestyle of Rishi/Cobbler/Muchi Community of Satkhira District

Abstract: In Bangladesh various religious and caste people were lived. Some of them were socially-culturally-economically developed and others were not so much developed. Our society had many communities who are belonging to low economic and social condition Rishi who was changed their traditional occupation and engage in new occupation. The social status of the community was changed. The people of this community can easily participate with other caste people. Employment opportunity of this community was the very much high. The education rate, social awareness was low in this community. People of this community were suffering from various health problems due to lack of clinic and doctor. They have no proper access of health, organizational and educational facilities.  The social norms, festivals, culture, rules and regulation, marriage pattern all the above given factors were highlights among the study. 

Key words: Rishi, community, economic, culture, social, people.

A. Introduction 

Since the Empire of Ballal Sen (King of Gour during middle of 12th century AD), differences was generated in Bengal’s society and originate like-Brahmin, Khatrio, Baishya, Sudra. Cobbler (muchi in West Bengal and Rishi in Bangla) is a specific untouchable backward community of sudra-society (Pal, 2011). This term indicates one who is related to leather, especially a cobbler, in our area the word identifies a particular group, not necessary-or no longer-connected with leather work. The Rishi (Bengali Chamar) come Bangladesh from West (Zene, 2002). Usually the Rishi are the lower caste Untouchability (A member of the excluded group) community. They are mainly live in Khulna, Satkhira and Jessor district within a few clusters. The present day where people of the country enjoy classical life, the people of this community are remain socially, mentally, economically, politically and culturally backward. 

B. Literature Review

Saha and Paul (2009) explain that the cobbler (Rishi) community is neglected in society because of low education rate and mental barriers. The people of this community also remain lower economic condition for this reason. On the other hand, Pal (2011) suggested that to improve the socio-economic, cultural and daily life they must have to change their perception that education is only for the rich people. Muchi community women face three (gender, caste and class) oppression in his society (Kamen, 2004). Eisenberger and Cameron (1996) said that rishi were not married the other caste people. It was maintain very strictly among the community.  Porag and Acherjee (2013) conducted a study on 50 cobblers in Dhaka city and found that they live in unhealthy condition with the lack of water and sanitation facilities.

C. Methodology 

Nature of the Study

This study is descriptive in nature that explains the life style of Rishi community. Descriptive research attempt to clarify what is the characteristics or situation of the population (Wikipedia, 2015). This study tries to describe the economic, social and culture of the Rishi community. To conduct this study social survey method is followed. Besides, a case study method was also used to gain a deep understanding. A case study presents an in-depth study of a single instance of a phenomenon to test a general proposition (Jary and Jary, 2004).

Study Area

The study was carried out, as per the instruction, Rishi Para in Alipur union at Satkhira Sador Upazila under Satkhira district of Bangladesh, particularly for the convenience of the researcher. Respondents were purposively selected from the study area.

Unit of Analysis

To achieve the study objectives some specification about the unit of analysis were made. Data were collected form the head of the household who must be live in the study area. 

Population of the Study

As the unit of analysis signified head of the household, who was/were live in the community, therefore I need to know the appropriate number of the respondents for this study. To fulfill these criteria in my study, a census interview was made and population list were taken from the field. This census information has listed 70 head of the household as total population for the study. All this (70) census head of the household of Rishi community in Alipur union of Bangladesh is my population of the study.

Sampling Procedure

Sampling is a representative portion selected from the population to represent the population as a whole (Dawson, 2002). For this study, purposive sampling technique was to choose total 50 samples from the census population of 70 head of the household. In purposive sampling sample was taken based on the researcher knowledge and ability; and objectives of the study (Babbie, 2001). 

Source of Data

Data were collected for this study from both primary and secondary sources. The primary source includes the field where the incidence occurs. Through face to face interaction primary data were collected. To complete this study secondary data were obtained from books, pamphlets, internet, journals and daily newspapers etc.

Technique of Data collection

An interview schedule, contained open and close ended items, was designed for this study taking into consideration about social, cultural and economic condition of the community people. 

Field Work (duration and interviewer)

Data were collected through interview schedule technique and the questions were asked and filled by the interviewer. Mainly primary data were collected to conduct the study in April 19, 2015 by the researcher himself in face-to-face situation under two supervisors. 

Data Processing and Analysis

Data were firstly scrutinized and eliminated the irrelevant data following coded by giving the specific name of every variable. After getting field data related to my research purpose, it has been computerized in SPSS considering the categories by use the coding technique. This tabulated data of different variables used under different statistical tests to explain. Computer software SPSS is used to process data.  MS word is also used to show and explain statistical tabulation of processed data.

Limitation of the Study

This study contains the following limitations:

1. There were limitations of logistic support to correctly, gather and manipulate data.
2. The information in few cases could not provide the relevant data due to unconsciousness and conventional thinking.
3. Due to shortage of time space data were collected quickly from the field. 

D. Results and Discussion  

1. Personal Information of the Respondents

Age structure 

Data in, Table No.1, explicates that 6 percent of the respondents through in the age ≤ 25.  Also, 54 percent of the respondents through between the age of 26 and 45, and 40 percent fell in 46 ≥ years of age. The average age of the respondents are 41.48 years and the standard deviation calculated is 11.14 Therefore, it becomes apparent that a large number of respondents were aged 26 to 45.

Table No. 1: Age Structure of the Respondents

Age (In Years)	Number of the Persons	Percent	Mean and Std. Deviation
≤ 25	3	6.0	Mean:41.48 and S.D.: 11.14
26 to 45	27	54.0
46 ≥	20	40.0
Total	50	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

Sex Structure

Data in, Table No. 2, shows that 96 percent respondents were male and only 4 percent were female. Therefore it appears that there was a predominance of male head of the household among the community.

Table No. 2: Sex of the Respondents

Sex	Number of the Persons	Percent
Male	48	96.0
Female	2	4.0
Total	50	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

Religion of the Respondents

Data in, Table No. 3, elucidate that 98 percent of the total respondents were Sanatan and only 2.0 percent of the respondents were Christianity.

Table No. 3: Religion of the Respondents 

Religion	Number of the Persons	Percent
Sanatan	49	98.0
Christianity	1	2.0
Total	50	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

Monthly Income of the Respondents 

Data in, Table No.4, explicate that 32 percent of the respondents earns in tk. BDT ≤5000.  Also, 60 percent of the respondent’s monthly income was between tk. BDT 5501 to 10000 and only 8 percent of the respondents monthly income was in tk. BDT 10001≥. The average income of the respondents was tk. BDT 6707 and the standard deviation calculated was 2414.79. Therefore, it becomes apparent that most of respondents’ monthly income was 5001 to 10000.

Table No. 4: Monthly Income of the Respondents

Income (In BDT)	Number of the Persons	Percent	Mean and Std. Deviation
≤ 5000	16	32.0	Mean:6707.00 and S.D.: 2414.79
5001 to 10000	30	60.0
10001 ≥	4	8.0
Total	50	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

Marital Status

Data in, Table No. 5, explains that 96 percent of the respondents were married and 2 percent were unmarried and 2 percent were divorced. Therefore it appears that here was a predominance of married persons among the respondents.

Table No. 5: Marital Status of the Respondents

Marital Status	Number of the Persons	Percent
Married	48	96.0
Unmarried	1	2.0
Divorced	1	2.0
Total	50	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

Year of Schooling of the Respondents

Data in, Table No. 6, elucidate that 38 percent of the respondents were non literate. Also, 32 percent had primary education and 30 percent had secondary and higher level education.  The average year of schooling was 3.78 and the standard deviation calculated was 3.79. 

Table No. 6: Year of Schooling of the Respondents 

Schooling (In Year)	Number of the Persons	Percent	Mean and Std. Deviation
Non literate (0)	19	38.0	Mean: 3.78 and S.D.: 3.79
Primary Education (1-5)	16	32.0
Secondary & Higher Education (6 ≥)	15	30.0
Total	50	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

Occupation of the Respondents

Data in, Table No. 7, shows the occupation of the respondents. It explains that the highest 36 percent of the respondent’s were van puller, 18 percent of the respondents were petty business, 14 percent respondents were farmer and 10 percent respondents were day labor and barber. Therefore, it becomes apparent that a large number of respondents were van puller among the respondents.

Table No. 7: Occupation of the Respondents

Occupation	Number of the Persons	Percent
Barber	5	10.0
Cobbler	1	2.0
Cycle Mechanic	1	2.0
Day Labor	5	10.0
Farmer	7	14.0
Handicraft	2	4.0
Petty Business	9	18.0
Shopkeeper	2	4.0
Van Puller	18	36.0
Total	50	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

2. Information about the Family Members 

Age structure of the Spouses

Data in, Table No. 8, shows the distribution of spouses by age. It appears that maximum 37.5 percent of the respondents fell in the age ≤ 25. Also, 20.8 percent of the respondents fell between the age of 26 and 35 and 41.7 percent fell in 36 ≥ years of age. The average age of the respondents was 32.52 years and the standard deviation calculated was 10.06. 

Table No. 8: Age Structure of the Spouses (N=48)

Age (in Years)	Number of the  Persons	Percent	Mean and Std. Deviation
≤ 25	18	37.5	Mean: 32.52 and S.D.: 10.06
26 to 35	10	20.8
36 ≥	20	41.7
Total	48	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

Year of Schooling of the Spouses

Data in, Table No. 9, elucidates that 47.9 percent of the respondents are non-literate. Also, 33.3 percent had primary education and 18.8 percent had secondary and higher level education. The average year of schooling was 2.56 and the standard deviation calculated was 3.01.

Table No. 9: Year of the Schooling of the Spouses (N=48)

Schooling (In Year)	Number of the persons	Percent	Mean and Std. Deviation
Non literate (0)	23	47.9	Mean: 2.56 and S.D.: 3.01
Primary Education (1-5)	16	33.3
Secondary & Higher Education (6 ≥)	9	18.8
Total	48	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

Occupation of the Spouses

Data in, Table No. 10, illustrated that most of the 83.3 percent spouses were housewife, 8.3 percent spouses were day labor, 4.2 percent spouses were handicraft and 2.1 percent spouses were both farmer and house maid.

Table No. 10: Occupation of the Spouses (N=48)

Occupation	Number of the Persons	Percent
Day Labor	4	8.3
Farmer	1	2.1
Handicraft	2	4.2
House Maid	1	2.1
Housewife	40	83.3
Total	48	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

3. Types of Family and Expenditure

Type of Family [Nature]

Data in, Table No. 11, explains that 74 percent of the respondents were lived in nuclear family and 26 percent of the respondents were lived in extended family. Therefore it appears that there was a predominance of nuclear family among the respondents.

Table No. 11: Type of Family [Nature]

Family Nature	Number of the Persons	Percent
Nuclear	37	74.0
Joint	13	26.0
Total	50	100.0

Source: Field Survey, 2015

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6. Origin: The people of Rishi community in Alipur at Satkhira live here from hundreds of years to till. They could not exactly tell from when they started to live here. They told that they live here from their birth. 

7. Population: In that community there were 70 households and more than 350 people were live in this community.

8. Language: All the people in this community were talk about in Bangla language in regional form. 

9. System of Economy: The traditional occupation of the Rishi community was to work at leather which is commonly known as the Cobbler or Muchi. But they were changed their traditional occupation and taken Val puller as their main occupation. Some other main occupation of this community day labor, Cycle Mechanic, Farmer, Handicraft and Shopkeeper.

10. Political System: Most of the people in this community were not connected with any political party. They were the lower caste people in the society and did not hold any political power. 

11. Political Affiliation: Data in, Table No. 46, explicate that 94 percent of the respondents or most of the respondent had no political affiliation. Only 6 percent of the respondents had political affiliation.

            Table No. 46: Political Affiliation

Political Affiliation	Number of the Persons	Percent
Yes	3	6.0
No	47	94.0
Total	50	100.0

12. Cultural Practice: In this community there were various types of cultural practice both religious and cultural practice. In the religious practices the Kali Pooja, Nil Pooja, water give on the head of the lord Shiva (shivar mathay Jol dhala), birth of Shrikrishna (Janmo Astomi), Narayan Pooja were mostly celebrated in this community. On the other hand in the cultural practice like marriage ceremony, jamay shasti, pohela boishakh etc. They also participates all the national festival observed in their locality. In the following table the religious ceremony and the month in which it was occurred.

            Table No. 47: Different types of Religious Festival and Observe Month

Name of the Festival	Month of observe
Kali Pooja	Falgun
Joggo	Chitayo
shivar mathay Jol dhala,	Chitayo
Janmo Astomi	Vadro
Naran puza	Any month

Beside this, they pray in two times every day in their house.  Durga Pooja was the main festival of the Hindu religion, which was not occurred in this community.

13. Dress Pattern: The people of this community mainly wear the general dress as like as other Bangladeshi people.  Among the community, the Male wear Lungi and Shirt and the women wear Sari and Blouse in general. The male children of this community wear shirt, pant and t-shirt and the female children of this community wear pajama, pant and shirt.  On the other hand, during the festival time male wear Dhoti and Panjabi, women wear sari with Blouse as like the as the general time and the children wear Shirt, T-shirt and Pant. In the following table the dress pattern of male, female and children during the general time and festival time are give-

           Table No. 48: Dress Pattern 

Gender	Regular	Festival
Male	Lungi, shirt and Jagcha	Dhuti and Panjabi
Female	Sari, Blouse	New Shari and Blouse
Children	Shirt, T-shirt and Pant	New Shirt,  T-shirt and pant

14. Food Behavior: The people of this community mainly eat Mashed potatoes, kitchen vegetables (vegetable, Puisaka, Sweet pumpkin, ground, banana etc.). Sometimes they also eat small fish. During the festival time they eat meat, big fish and various types of delicious food.  During the time of Ekadashi they remain fast. They also eat only vegetable during the religious festival.

15. Marriage: Marriage is common in every community of the world. In the Rishi community during marriage some customs and traditions were followed. The first step of marriage is to choice of male and female both them and their family. After that a ceremony was occurred where the guardian were pray for both weeding son and daughter. This ceremony was occurred separately both in in son and daughter house on the day of marriage or before the day of marriage. In this ceremony both party give gift to the male and female. This was commonly known as Ashirbad Anusthan. In the marriage day bride remain fast all the day. In the evening some gift are come in bride house from the male house. Then the bride takes some meal from her father and other guardian which was known as Khir.

After that the priest recites incantation for the girl and her uncle. In that time the uncle pray for the girl for lead a happy life this was known as Nannimukh. During that time the weeding son come to the bride house. Before entering the bride house the wedding son must pay some money to the bride relative in the gate. After that the mother of the bride, in absence of mother the bride anti, welcomes the son-in-law in their house. Then both the weeding son and daughter come to marriage temple. The priest recites incantation and the weeding daughter with a glass of water round the weeding son for seven times. Each time the weeding daughter gives water on the foot of the weeding son. It was popularly known as called Satpak. After done that the priest burnt offering sacred fire as an offering to the gods which is known as Hom. It was the last stage of the marriage in the marriage temple. 

After that the weeding son and daughter were stands with a dish and the relative’s gives gift to them which they taken with them. In the morning the bride came to her husband house form his father house.

16. Land Rights: The land rights of this community were changed through successor. The land was divided both son and daughter. The male get 2/3 and the female get 1/3 portion of the total land.  But the daughter didn’t take land from their father. 

17. Social Classification: Traditionally Rishi community was the low status community. In the previous time like their grandfathers time they were humiliated by the other caste of the society. An example was that, at the time of marriage ceremony the people of this community could attend but they remain out of the house. They could not take food with site of the other castes people at the same time and place. But now the situation is change, the people of this community go or take food with the other caste and religious people in same time and place.

18. Institutional and Organizational Affiliation: Most of the people of this community were connecting with an organization name Rishilpi. This organization is mainly work for the Rishi community. The members of the Rishilpi give 20 tk. per week as a saving. They can get low from this community as the time of their financial crisis.  

19. Transportation:  Now we live in a modern area. This community was situated beside the main road of Satkhira and Munsigang. The people of this community could easily communicate with town and other parts of the society through bus, van and other types of vehicle.  They also use Mobile phone to communicate with other.

20. Social Problems and Recommendation: The people of this community had some financial crisis. But they have no social problem (crime, drug addiction and eve- teasing etc.). People are very happy in this community. People of this community sometime told that it is the best place of the world. They cannot want to migrate from this community to other place.

E. Case Study

Daben Das is a married man. He is 35 years old. He has 2 children. He lives in this community from his birth. His father and grandfather also lived in this community. His occupation is day labor. Before that he was a van puller. After an accident in 2010 he changed his occupation. 

Though his community is a lower caste community, he moves out with the other higher caste people and even other religious people. When the interviewer asked him what is the main festival of his community? He told that their main festivals are Kali pooja, Shivpooja, Janmoaustomi and Jaggo. Though durga pooja is the main festival of the Hindu community, they don’t celebrating this festival in their community. He told that he live in this community with other 70th household and they are very helpful to each other. He wears mainly lungi and shirt in regular. His wife wears sari and blouse in the regular time. 

He informed that the Rishipli work in his community. He weekly gives 20 tk. as a saving. He also can take loan from this organization. In the marriage ceremony we followed some customs and tradition. He tells that he can communicate with other relatives very easily through mobile phone. He also easily travels other area or town for better communication system.

When a question asked him- is there any social problem he had faced? He answered with a smile face that he doesn’t face any social problem in his community. He told that he led a better life to live in this community and he is very happy to live in that community. 

F. Summary and Conclusion

Rishi was the very much peaceful community. The study found that most of the head of the household (54%) age was between 26 to 45 years. The average age of the respondents was 41.48 years. The rishi community was male dominated because 96 percent head of the household were male. Traditionally the rishi is the caste of Hindu religion. Here 98 percent people were Sanatan. The average income of the respondents is 6707 tk. The education rate in this community was low. Beside the education rate was higher among the male than the female. The study found that 38 percent of the respondents and 47.9 percent spouses were non-literate. Van puller was the main occupation of the respondent and 83.3 percent women were housewife in this community.  

The joint family was decreasing day by day in this community. 74 percent respondents were live in the nuclear family and 56 percent families were maintaining by single earner. The community people expand their most of income (on average 3910 tk.) to purchase food. On the other hand they expand only a little amount (on average 399 tk.) for education.  60 percent respondents live in kacha house and 98 percent household live in their own house.

The people of this community take water from the tube-well and pond. 96 percent respondents done their primary work taken water from the tube well and 54 percent respondents done their secondary work taken water from the pond. In every household have a latrine but 66 percent of them are kacha and wood is used for cook in 82 percent family. The most common disease in this community was fever. 62 (%) respondents suffer from fever in various times and during illness they taken medicine form the pharmacy without suggestion of a doctor. 

Beside these, the community people observed various religious and cultural festivals such as Kail Pooja, Janmoaustomi etc. the people of this community do not observe Durga Pooja which is the biggest religious festival for Hindu. People of the Rishi community mainly wear lungi, sari, shirt, Blouse, pant etc. Sometimes people of this community remain fast and they mainly eat vegetables. They also followed some social customs and tradition in their marriage function.

G. Recommendation 

The following recommendations have been suggested for the ‘Rishi’ community.

a) To ensure education for all people of this community establish school from government level.

b) To educate old people establish night school.

c) Create employment opportunity for the community people.

d) Increase awareness about their health.

e) To improve economic, social and cultural condition of the community people both government and      NGO take effective strategies. 

References 

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Eisenberger, R. and Cameron, J. 1996. Detrimental effects of reward: Reality or myth? Journal of the American Psychological Association, 5(1): 1153-1166

Jary, D. and Jary, J. 2004. Collins Dictionary Sociology (4th eds.). HarperCollins, Glasgow 

Kamen, G. E. 2004. THE STATUS, SURVIVAL, AND CURRENT DILEMMA OF A FEMALE DALIT COBBLER OF INDIA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 4(1): 5-30

Pal, T. 2011. Geography of Urban Cobblers (Muchi or Shoemaker): An Over-view in Bolpur Town, West Bengal, India. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2(3):1-5

Porag, R. S. and Acherjee, R. 2013. A Study on Occupational Health and Safety of Scavenger’s in Dhaka City. Nagorik Uddyog, Dakha

Saha, P. and & Paul, R. N. 2009. The Socio-Economic Situation of the Cobbler Community (an Untouchable Class of Our Society) in Dhaka City: An Overview. Association for Rural people, 4(3): 1-10

Wikipedia. 2015. Descriptive Research. Wikipedia, A Free Encyclopedia, Accessed on June 8, 2015, Retrieved from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descriptive_research] 

Zene. C. 2002. The Rishi of Bangladesh: A History of Christian Dialogue. Cambridge University Press, London