Koeri/Koiri
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(From People of India/ National Series Volume VIII. Readers who wish to share additional information/ photographs may please send them as messages to the Facebook community, Indpaedia.com. All information used will be gratefully acknowledged in your name.)
Koeri/Koiri
Synonyms: Kushwaha [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Banaphor, Bara Dangin, Choto Dangin, Jalowar, Kushw aha, Maghaya [West Bengal] Groups/subgroups: Banapho, Barakar, Barkidangi, Bor akar, Chodddangi, Goita, Jaruhar, Kananga, Kanaujia, Kumarah, Kiwani, Magahiya, Tirhutia [Bihar and/or J harkhand] Banaphor, Baro Dangin, Choto Dangin, Jalowar, Magha ya [West Bengal] Beguna, Mai, Manjhi, Marar, Marik, Mujni, Nag, Panj iara, Pargana Kharakpur Sais [H.H. Risley] Audhiya, Azamgarhiya, Bhimpuriya, Brijbasi, Dakkhin aha, Desi, Jaiswar, Jaunpuriya, Kanaujiya, Madhesiya, Rajauriya, Saksena [W. Crooke]
- Subcastes: Banapar, Barakar, Barkidangi, Chhotkida
ngi, Chirmait, Dhar, Goita (in Champaran), Jaruhar, Kanaujia, Kumara, Magahiya, Palmoha, Pauria, Reutia (in Chota Nagpur), Tirhutia [H.H. Risley] Allahabadi, Banarasiya, Bardawar, Bhaktiya, Dakhina ha, Hardiya, Kachhwaha, Kanaujiha, Kori, Magahiya, Naraigana, Prayagha, Purbiha, Sakatiya, Sarwariya, Torikoriya [W. Crooke] Titles: Mahato, Majhi, Ohoddar [West Bengal] Dhelphor (clod breaker), Mahto, Marar, Murao (green grocer) [H.H. Risley] Surnames; Kushwaha, Mahto, Mehta, Verma [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Kuiri, Majhi, Mehta, Prasad [West Bengal] Exogamous units/clans: Kachhim (tortoise), Nag [West Bengal] Gotra: Kashyap [West Bengal] Exogamous units/lineages (vans, khandan): [Bihar an d/or Jharkhand]
Notes
The Koeri, a very important agricultural caste of Hindustan is closely allied to the Kurmi, with whom they drink, but do not eat, while the Kurmi attend their marriages, and partake of the feast.
Their subdivisions vary in different districts, but the few Koeri in Dacca claim to belong to the Kanaujiya section. The respectful term by which to address them is "Mahto" (Sanskrit Mahatman, noble), but Murao, greengrocer, is a common appellation, and Dhelphor, clod-breaker, a common nickname.
In Bihar, Koeris are employed as opium growers, in other parts of Hindustan as husbandmen and market gardeners, but in Dacca as constables and policemen.
In Arrah the Koeris, like the Kandus, worship the Panch Pir, and hold a festival in their honour on the ninth and tenth days of the Dashara in Aswin (September-October). A few are found following the tenets of Kabir and Darya Das.
Koeri women are unclean for twelve days after childbirth, at the end of which time the mother bathes twice, and after each bath plasters the house floor. She then marks with red lead five spots on the rim of the well, draws a jar of water, and her purification is complete.
