The other group of Chattisgarhi Beldars are of lower status, and
clearly derived from the non-Aryan tribes. They eat pigs, and at
intervals of two or three years they celebrate the worship of Gosain
Deo with a sacrifice of pigs, the deity being apparently a deified
ascetic or mendicant. On this occasion the Dhimars, Gonds, and all
other castes which eat pig's flesh join in the sacrifice, and consume
the meat together after the fashion of the rice at Jagannath's temple,
which all castes may eat together without becoming impure. These
Beldars use asses for the transport of their bricks and stones, and
on the Diwali day they place a lamp before the ass and pay reverence
to it. They say that at their marriages a bride-price of Rs. 100
or Rs. 200 must always be paid, but they are allowed to give one or
two donkeys and value them at Rs. 50 apiece. They make grindstones
(_chakki_), combs for straightening the threads on the loom, and
frames for stretching the threads. These frames are called _dongi_,
and are made either wholly or partly from the horns of animals,
a fact which no doubt renders them impure.