Tea and insults: Untouchability in Eastern India

1980; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 12; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/14672715.1980.10405560

ISSN

0007-4810

Autores

Doranne Jacobson,

Tópico(s)

Walter Benjamin Studies Compilation

Resumo

AbstractAbstractIn a dusty village in the state of Orissa in eastern India, a gaunt 40-year-old man of the Bauri untouchable caste patiently sits on his haunches in front of a tea stall. High-caste patrons relaxing inside the stall gossip without seeming to notice him, and the ten-year-old waiter ignores him. Finally, the youth calls out, "Hey there, ya damn Bauri boy, what'll ya have?" The untouchable silently points toward the glass he has brought with him, and the youth pours some tea into it. From a proper distance, the untouchable drops coins into the boy's hand, drinks his tea, and shuffles off, respectfully crouching and trailing his right hand in the dust.

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