Paper short abstract:

Owing to imposed, non-empirical categorisations, itinerant groups in Bengal labelled 'Bedes' are today often perceived as a single minority group needing social upliftment. In this, self-appointed outside helpers seem to favour strategies contrasting with those preferred by 'Bedes' themselves.

Paper long abstract:

Diverse itinerant groups in Bengal labelled as 'Bedes' have experienced various forms of external ascription in the course of time. Besides categorisations and denominations, which are dominantly rejected by the concerned people, characteristics ascribed to these socially marginalised groups, their occupations and lifestyles by the sedentary mainstream population have led to stereotypical notions oscillating between romanticisation and discrimination. While in fictional Bengali literature and movies 'Bedes' often serve mainly as surfaces for erotic fantasies and a longing for a life far away from the duties of the sedentary lifestyle, they were during British colonial times confronted with the stigma of being criminals. However, regardless of whether the ascriptions to them were positive or negative, these have led over the last two centuries to the strengthening of an ascribed 'Bede' identity outside of the Bengali mainstream society.

Besides an overview on the diverse notions on 'Bedes', this paper will show the different strategies to socially uplift the so-called 'Bedes' today. Whereas outsiders, such as activists from the non-governmental (NGO) sector, take the categorisations of colonial times as their points of departure and thus contribute to the consolidation of the 'Bedes' as a separate minority, some so-called 'Bedes' themselves, especially in Bangladesh, have developed various strategies to counter their marginality with the aim of finding a place in the mainstream society.