Bede Society
“Gypsy the mysterious society! In 1427 they appeared in the city of Paris. They travel around the world like vagabond. They introduced themselves as Egyptian. In 1905 they came here in South Asia because of good jobs. In Bangladesh they are known as Bede. Bede means vagabond or traveler. Bangladesh is a riverine country which is why they live in the rivers and use boats as their main transportation. According to the department of the society service. There are 8 lakhs Bede here in Bangladesh.
© Rashed Oyshe, from the series “Bede Society”
© Rashed Oyshe, from the series “Bede Society”
I have noticed that the life style of Bede society is quite different than the normal society. Usually the women of the Bede society gives much efforts to the work than man. Women gets much independence than man. Because they are income source of their family. They do different types work like selling drugs ,playing snakes, singer paff , body tattoos for earning. Husband usually look after the children and do the household work. Bede women loves to dressing and make up. They do this type of dress up to catch the eye of the people. So they can sell their products.
© Rashed Oyshe, from the series “Bede Society”
© Rashed Oyshe, from the series “Bede Society”
I have worked on their project on Bede society for last one year. I am very much interested in those people and their lifestyle. I found it very mysterious. I have travelled so many places here in Bangladesh like Dhaka, Bhola, Khulna where they live in. My working process is all about my field research into the history of this particular community. There was a time when many cinemas were produced on Bede society here in Bangladesh. “Beder Meye Josna” was one of the most blockbuster hit movie in both Bangladesh and Kolkata .Usually Bede people religion in Islam. But they have no orthodoxy about the religion. They often complain that nobody look after themselves in the society. Their children do not get the fundamental rights from the government. They are deprived from education. I have started following Rupa and a few others in the Bede society. One day I asked her “Do you go to the school? ”She replied me “what will happen if I go to school?”Some other tells me that “we are discriminated by the society and often we are tortured.”They are becoming a burden to the society day by day.
© Rashed Oyshe, from the series “Bede Society”
© Rashed Oyshe, from the series “Bede Society”
I want to shoot this project in India over the period of 2016. I would like to make it large. However I found the inspiration every here and there from the Bede society through my work .I am hoping that this people will get their fundamental rights. Photography has the power to challenge this social discrimination and change the society of Bede. I wish and hope that my work will help the Bede society to find a good place to live what they want.”
© Rashed Oyshe, from the series “Bede Society”
© Rashed Oyshe, from the series “Bede Society”
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