Mang (caste)


The Mang or Matang community is an Indian caste mainly residing in the state of Maharashtra. The community was historically believed to be associated with Village security or professions such as rope making, broom making, village musicians, cattle castration, leather curing, midwifery,, and undertaking. In modern day India, they are listed as a Scheduled Caste,
Their origins lie in the Narmada Valley of India, and they were formerly classified as a criminal tribe under the Criminal Tribes Acts of the British Raj.

Distribution

Per the 1981 census, the majority of Mang lived in Maharashtra, with much smaller numbers in Gujarat ; Goa, Daman, and Diu and Rajasthan.

Society and culture

Before the British era, mangs were one of the twelve hereditary village servants called Bara Balutedar.The mangs were the hereditary rope makers and village entertainers.For their services they received a share of the village produce.The caste was hindu and observed the Hindu rituals of Jawal, shendi, lagna, and funerary rites.
In the early 20th century, the Mang began to form caste associations to advocate their cause, such as the Matang Samaj and Matang Society.

Notables