Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s6.6.5

c48.s6.6.5

The latter are even more thoroughly Brāhmanised than the Kharvār, and have the same tradition of having been ousted from dominion in the south of Bihār. They were the last to leave the plain for the plateau, and are accepted as an orthodox Brāhmanic caste. A small section, however, in the interior, still keeps to the jungle and breeds tussar moths, for doing which they are deemed impure by their relatives. Long periods of settled life, combined with frequent intermarriage with high class families of Rājputs and others, have in fact made the larger body of the Cēru a different and distinct community, claiming the name of Cōhān-bansi. The totemistic subdivisions of their poor relations, however, prove their connection with both the general Muṇḍā race and perhaps more especially, with the Khariā. These last say they came up to Mānbhūm and Rānci from the Orissa State of Mayurbhanj. One branch took to cultivation and settled life, whilst those in Mānbhūm remain amongst the most shy and uncivilised of their kind. The former affect the highest regard for purity in diet, and greatly restrict their intercourse with outsiders, a habit which is sometimes unkindly attributed to their own filth and disregard of social decency. They intermarry with the Muṇḍā on unequal terms, the larger tribe taking brides from them but giving none in return. The Khariā keep to their own worship, using Muṇḍā or Orāon priests.