Practices and activities of 'beggars' in rural bangladesh

Abstract

Traditionally, 'beggars' are embedded in local society with diverse religious, cultural, or social meanings. However, today governments in many countries prohibit the act of 'begging'. The government of Bangladesh is also trying to eliminate the problem of 'beggars', although this government policy does not reach rural areas. Some NGOs provide self-dependency programs for 'beggars'. Little detailed researches has been conducted on "beggars' and 'begging', and therefore, this study examined the actual conditions of 'beggars' in rural Bangladesh. The present structure system of 'beggars' is discussed critically in this paper based on the results found in a village and some markets in Tangail, 70 km north-west of Dhaka The local people in this village usually give alms to 'beggars', although they have little private information about them. 'Beggars' tend to avoid 'begging' in their own villages to protect their position as members of society (samaj). 'Beggars' are mainly the elderly, people with disabilities, and women with no male support In Bangladesh, the space is genderized by religious and social rules and therefore women tend to avoid going to markets. Most female 'beggars' go on foot from house to house in villages, but some go to the local markets remote from the highway to 'beg'. 'Beggars' choose places to 'beg' not only based on their gender, but also on their disability types and the availability of helpers. 'Beggars' with disabilities tend to go to markets along the highway even at a considerable distance from their homes, since some are allowed to ride buses free of charge. In addition, in large periodic markets where poultry and livestock are available, Muslims give to 'beggars' as special alms isadaka) for their wish fulfillment or problem solving. 'Beggars' coalesce into groups and share those alms. The periodic market management committees accept them without levying taxes on the use of market sites. Thus, local people support the practice of 'begging'. 'Beggars' with disabilities are particularly regarded as deserving of help. Although the practice of 'begging' is embedded in local rural society in Bangladesh, government and NGOs consider this practice to be an economically and socially marginalized activity and are trying to eliminate it.