River Gypsies in Bangladesh

River gypsies are an ethnic [উপজাতি] group in Bangladesh. They are known as ‘Bedey’ to local people. They have their own lifestyles [জীবন পদ্ধতি] and culture [সংস্কৃতি]. They live in groups. They do not own any land. They live a nomadic [যাযাবর] life travelling from one place to another. They roam [ঘোরা] across our rivers and waters in small country boats. This boats are their houses. Throughout the monsoon [বর্ষা], they remain busy with fishing. They also dive [ডুব] for natural pearls in waters. Men catch snakes and entertain people with snake charming and sell herbal cures. Women go from door to door to sell bangles [চুড়ি], cosmetics and many other things. They also try to heal pains of old people often by sucking out blood from their body. They are used to water life. They inherit [পাত্তয়া] from their forefathers the necessary life skills to survive in water. They have no education. So, the authority feels the need to bring them under formal education network. Some voluntary [স্বেচ্ছা] organizations are running special schools on boats to educate river gypsy children in some areas.