Colors Of Gujarat
My recent trip to Gujarat was a fabulous holiday. Our customized itinerary focused on textiles and tribes of Gujarat.
This is a must destination for any one interested in textiles of Gujarat and photographing different
nomadic tribes.
The major tribes of the region are the Jats, Megh Siddhi, Rabari, Bhils, Ahirs and Bharwads. Every sect has distinct origin, habits, habitats and cultural ethos.
All images by Usha Peddamatham
www.ushpeddamatham.com
Text Credit : Parnashree Devi
The Rabari people are an ethnic group of primarily India. They are also known as Rebari, Raikas, and Dewasi. The Rabari myth of origin is that Shiva put them on earth to tend to the camels owned by Parvati.The word ‘Rabari’, means “Outsiders”, which mostly defines their occupation and status within the society.
The exact origin of Rabari Tribe is unknown, though many claim that they migrated to India via Afghanistan through Baluchistan. Rabaris have 133 sub castes and a majority of them are Hindus.Conventionally, the Rabaris are highly nomadic in nature, are found in the deserted lands of western India, mostly in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The main occupation of this tribe is to raise cattle, camels and goats. For pasturing their cattle, they wander from one place to another for half a year, chasing seasonal rains .
One of the most striking features of this community is that they practice matriarchal social system, where women take charge of the majority of affairs and men are found dwelling with their cattle, which they consider as a true asset.
Unlike, other tribal communities, Rabari women are known for their exquisite artworks, particularly their thread, mirror and mud-relief work. They are renowned for the finest embroidery and bead-work.
The Mirs of Gujarat are a Muslim tribal community who are descendants of the Butt tribe in Kashmir Valley. They were nomadic, and now live in little settlements in the Rann of Kutch. Their housing conditions are relatively poor,- temporary shanties with tarpaulin roofs. They make their living by selling hand made crafts- jewellery, keychains, beads to the tourists.
We encountered these Jain women clad in white on our road travel in Gujarat. Jains are divided into two major sects; the Digambara (meaning sky clad) sect and the Svetambara (meaning white clad) sect. The Shvetambara “white clad” monks and nuns wear two pieces of white cloth.
Jain monks and nuns live a hard life, with no or few worldly possessions. Although they are separated from their birth family they regard the whole world as their family.
These belong to Rathwa tribe. The name of the tribe has been derived from the term "rathbistar" which means the forest and hilly areas.
