There are two classes of Bauls: ascetic Bauls who reject family life and Bauls who live with their families. Ascetic Bauls renounce family life and society and survive on alms. They have no fixed dwelling place, but move from one to another. Men wear white lungis and long, white tunics; women wear white saris. They carry , shoulder bags for alms. They do not beget or rear children. They are treated as or dalits. Women dedicated to the service of ascetics, are known as "service slaves". A male Baul can have one or more , who are associated with him in the act of devotion. Until 1976 the district of Kushtia had 252 ascetic Bauls. In 1982-83 the number rose to 905; in 2000, they numbered about 5000.