ABSTRACT

Every Dalit caste, called jna¯ti, na¯ti, na¯t, jati, or ja¯t in Gujarati, is an endogamous unit. Manubhai Makwana, a sociologist occupant of the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chair at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, has recently published in Gujarati a book (2000) and a paper (2001) on SCs in Gujarat, in which he has described what are called pargan. a¯ divisions in three major Dalit castes. The Vankars (weavers) are divided into 31 parganas, and the Chamars (leatherworkers) and Bhangis

(scavengers) into 13 each. Lancy Lobo has also described such parganas in an unpublished report (1991) on his research project on the Vankars of central Gujarat. Each pargana is an endogamous group of members of the respective jati living in a specifi c number of villages and towns in an area. In many cases the pargana has a written constitution. Makwana has reproduced a few constitutions in his book (2001). The constitution lays down rules and regulations for the members of the pargana, particularly on marriage, bride price, wedding expenses, divorce, mortuary rituals, punishment for violation of rules, among others. Each pargana has also a panch (council of leaders).