Brahmin

The highest caste in Hinduism, often referred to as the priestly caste. Brahmins may be wealthy or poor, but because of their caste they have stricter requirements for purity and cleanliness in a Hindu sense; that is, a traditional Brahmin cannot eat food prepared by someone of a lower caste, or of no caste (such as a foreigner or a tribal person), nor can he or she share food or eat at the same table with such a person. Brahmin priests preside at Hindu rituals such as cremations, prayers for the dead, naming ceremonies, and weddings.