Introduction / History

The Ager people's name comes from the word "agara" meaning "salt pan." They are salt manufacturers who live mainly in certain coastal districts of Karnataka, though some live further north in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Many of them use their community name as a surname, so anyone who calls themselves Ager is probably from this salt-making community. Few of them own land. Though they eat wheat and rice as their staple cereals, the Ager people enjoy fish and wild game when they get a chance to eat it.

They only practice adult marriage. The bride price and dowry are paid both in cash and goods. After the marriage, the couple lives close to the groom's family. Everyone in an Ager family might work; men, women and children.

The Agers are Hindus who worship a number of local and regional gods and celebrate Hindu festivals. Some consult witchdoctors. This community is open to having their children educated, but they often drop out. Missionaries have provided them with medical care and educational opportunities. Thanks to mission efforts, a few Ager people have embraced Christ, though the numbers are so small that they are still considered to be an unreached people group.

References

Some information from "The Scheduled Castes" K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)