Hence the Bhuiyans designate themselves either as the autochthones or owners of the land. They have a legend supporting their association with land. So they treated earth to be their wealth and called themselves Bhuiyans. They thus developed strong ties with the land, which was considered to be the most sacred and revered, more than even the mother. The oath taken in trials is only by touching the earth and it is believed that if one utters falsehoods while holding soil in his hand, he will soon die.
Earth is associated in almost all the Bhuiyan rites, rituals and festivals.
Basumata, one of their chief goddesses, is believed to live under the earth. She is the first deity to be worshipped first in all the festivals. Many of the Bhuiyan gods and goddeses are made of terracotta. Every year before the start of shifting cultivation, one of the main components of the Bhuiyan economy, the earth goddess is worshipped with a sacrifice to ensure good crops. When a Bhuiyan marriage is fixed, at the time of the betrothal ceremony, the bridegroom s close relatives visit the bride s house for a celebration.