Bhuiya Community

The Bhuiya are an indigenous community found in the Indian states of Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The Bhuiya name comes from the Sanskrit bhumi, meaning land. Most of the Bhuiya are agriculturalists and many believe that they are descended from Bhumi, the goddess who represents Mother Earth. Basket-making, livestock rearing, fishing, hunting and the sale of forest produce such as firewood, honey and resin also contribute to their livelihood, although the practice of food collection has probably mostly died out.

NEG-FIRE Intervention Presence: Gaya District of Bihar