Although outside influences are being incorporated into their culture, the Bengalis remain very proud of their cultural heritage. Wet rice is their primary crop, and wheat and potatoes have also recently been added. Some families with private ponds may engage in small-scale fishing, but extensive fishing is an occupational specialty of one of the castes. Most of the Bengalis live in villages containing between 100 and 1000 people. There are approximately 100,000 villages across the Bengal region.
Peasant homesteads usually consist of extended families.
These families are broken down into households of independent landowners and consumers. Since monsoon rains cause frequent flooding in the delta region, the homes there are usually elevated. Many of the Bengalis living in Calcutta have extremely low-incomes. They live in slums, on the streets, or anywhere they can find a place. As is common throughout southern Asia, the division of labor is clearly marked among the Bengalis.