Bede people

Bede (famine: Bedeni) or Bedey, also known as Manta, is an Indo-Aryan nomadic ethnic group of Bangladesh. The Bede traditionally live, travel, and earn their living on the river, which has given them the name of "Water Gypsy" or "River Gypsy". Bedes are similar to European gypsies. They travel in groups and never stay in one place for more than a couple of months. The Bedes are a marginalized group. About 98% of Bedes live below the poverty line, and about 95% of Bede children do not attend school. Historically the Bedes were unable to vote as they did not own land, nor could they apply for banks loan or microcredit for the same reason.