Nekari

The Nekari also known as Nekri are a Muslim community found in north east India.^[1] In Bengal Nekari are part of Fishing community.^[2]

Origin

The community is traditionally associated with selling fish. According to their traditions, the community gets its name from the word Urdu work nek, which means honest, and kar meaning living, so the Nekari literally means those who make an honest living, There is some evidence to suggest that the community are converts from the Hindu Jele caste. The Nekari are found mainly in the district of 24 Parganas, in particular along the banks of the rivers Ischamati and Raimangal. They speak Bengali and belong to the Sunni sect of Islam.^[3]

Present circumstances

The Nekari were the traditional fish mongers of Bengal, and the community remains associated with this occupation. A majority however are now daily wage labourers. They are strictly endogamous, and marry close kin. There customs are similar to other Bengali Muslim communities.^[4]

References

^ Marginal Muslim Communities in India. Institute of Objective Studies. 2004. p. 371. ISBN 978-81-85220-58-1.
^ Marginal Muslim Communities in India. Institute of Objective Studies. 2004. p. 371. ISBN 978-81-85220-58-1. Nekari or Nekri, a fish-mongering community of Bengal are concentrated in the district of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal mainly along the rivers of Ischamati and Rai.
^ Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 371-384
^ Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 371-384