Bhaina

Outsiders are not usually admitted, but if a Bhaina forms a connection with a woman of another tribe, they will admit the children of such

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell

On this account the tribe will not enter Phuljhar territory to this day, and say that it is death to a Bhaina to do so.

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell

But a man of the Kawar tribe having intimacy with a Bhaina woman may be taken into the community.

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell

Bhaina it is shown that some of the oldest forts in Bilaspur are attributed to the Bhainas and a chief of this tribe is remembered as having ruled in Bilaigarh south of the Mahanadi.

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell

Bhaina performs the various magical devices which lay the ghosts of the dead, protect the village against tigers, ensure the prosperity of the crops and so on.

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell

Bhaina ki pang or 'The magic of a Bhaina is as deadly as the powdered _mainhar_ fruit,' this fruit having the property of stupefying fish when thrown into the water, so that they can easily be caught.

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell

A Bhaina is also not infrequently found to be employed in the office of village priest and magician, which goes by the name of Baiga in Bilaspur.

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell

Their connection with the Baigas is shown by the fact that in Mandla the Baigas have two subdivisions, which are known as Rai or Raj-Bhaina, and Kath, or catechu-making Bhaina.

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell

And a Bhaina has the same reputation as a Baiga for sorcery, it being said of him --

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell

But still, when a Kawar is celebrating a birth, marriage or death in his family, or when he takes in hand to make a tank, he will first give food to a Bhaina before his own caste-men eat.

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell