Jhamar
Encyclopedia
The Jhamar are a Hindu
caste
found in the state of Uttar Pradesh
in India
. They are also known as Jhaunwar.
caste
traditionally associated with basket makers. According to some traditions, the word Jhamar is a corruption of the Hindi word jhaua, which means a basket. The Jhamar themselves claim to be Lodh
as, who took up the occupation of basket making. Over time this change of occupation led to the formation of a distinct community. The Jhamar are involved in the making of baskets from the twigs of the Arhar plant. They are a small community, found mainly in the districts of Barabanki
, Lucknow
and Unnao
. The Jhamar speak Awadhi
among themselves and Hindi with outsiders.
and practice clan exogamy
. They are a landless community, with basket making still their principle occupation. A significant number of Jhamar are now daily wage labourers, involved in occupations such as rickshaw pulling. Each Jhamar settlement also contains a biradari panchayat, an informal caste association, which acts as an instrument of social control.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
found in the state of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They are also known as Jhaunwar.
Origin
The Jhamar are an occupational HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
traditionally associated with basket makers. According to some traditions, the word Jhamar is a corruption of the Hindi word jhaua, which means a basket. The Jhamar themselves claim to be Lodh
Lodh
The Lodh are a Hindu Rajput caste, found throughout India. They are found mainly in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Lodhas claim to Chandravansi Rajputs and inhabit Dholpur, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar and Bharatpur districts. Their hereditary occupation is military service.-Origin:The word Lodh...
as, who took up the occupation of basket making. Over time this change of occupation led to the formation of a distinct community. The Jhamar are involved in the making of baskets from the twigs of the Arhar plant. They are a small community, found mainly in the districts of Barabanki
Barabanki District
The Barabanki district is one of four districts of Faizabad division, lies at the very heart of Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and forms as it were a centre from which no less than seven other districts radiate...
, Lucknow
Lucknow District
Lucknow District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The city of Lucknow is the district headquarters and the district is part of Lucknow Division...
and Unnao
Unnao District
Unnao District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The town of Unnao is the district headquarters. The district is part of Lucknow Division.-History:...
. The Jhamar speak Awadhi
Awadhi language
Awadhi is an Indo-Aryan language, part of the Hindi-Urdu continuum. It is spoken chiefly in the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh, although its speakers are also found in Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Nepal. Furthermore, the Fiji Hindi dialect spoken by Indo-Fijians is considered a variant of Awadhi,...
among themselves and Hindi with outsiders.
Present Circumstances
The Jhamar are strictly endogamousEndogamy
Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such basis as being unsuitable for marriage or other close personal relationships. A Greek Orthodox Christian endogamist, for example, would require that a marriage be only with another...
and practice clan exogamy
Exogamy
Exogamy is a social arrangement where marriage is allowed only outside of a social group. The social groups define the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity. In social studies, exogamy is viewed as a combination of two related aspects:...
. They are a landless community, with basket making still their principle occupation. A significant number of Jhamar are now daily wage labourers, involved in occupations such as rickshaw pulling. Each Jhamar settlement also contains a biradari panchayat, an informal caste association, which acts as an instrument of social control.