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The region of Gujarat has played host to many a
tribal culture and nourished them from the very earliest periods of
history. One such tribe here, the Rabaris, still pursue a pastoral
lifestyle—much in the same way as they did aeons ago.
The Rabaris are a
semi-nomadic tribe—pursuing a pre-agrarian, pastoral
lifestyle—found mainly in the Kutch and Saurashtra regions of
Gujarat. Though living today in permanent settlements, they are
believed to have originally migrated from Baluchistan more than a
millennium ago.
But over these thousand
and more years, the Rabaris have undergone many changes and have been
widely influenced by the local cultures with which they came in
contact. Not only are they divided into distinct clans, they also
prefer to trace their origin to Hindu Gods and even the Rajputs.
Without delving into the
garbled clues provided by folk lore about their origin, a closer look
at the Rabari today leads one into his quaint, colourful and rugged
lifestyle.
By no means are the
Rabaris an isolated people. The men are on the move—almost 10
out of the 12 months—in search of grazing pastures for their
livestock; while the women and children remain in their villages.
These villages are normally small, devoid of more than superficial
amenities and, almost always, set in bleak, barren surroundings.
In a typical village,
their rectangular houses, called vandhas, are built in rows.
The white-washed mud walls and tiled roofs may have an appearance of
starkness when viewed from outside. But within each house, the
Rabari’s fondness for patterns is easily visible from the many
geometric patterns that adorn its interiors. The tiny mirrors
embedded into these mud-plaster patterns only enhance their beauty as
they catch the faint glimmer of light streaming in from a small
window or a low doorway. A home usually consists of two rooms, and
an extended enclosure in the verandah which forms the kitchen.
The room at the back is
normally used as a storehouse—a virtual treasure house of
embroidered clothes and quilts kept in carved wooden pataras
(chests); and the kothis and kothlas (granaries) made
of mud and cowdung. The other room is mainly a living room decorated
with embroidered torans or decorated doorways, while the doors
are covered with brass foil etched in a myriad patterns. Often, the
only piece of furniture that one might find is a carved, wooden
cradle.
The community’s main
stay is milk and milk produce from their livestock which they trade
in Besides, they also trade wool and leather in order to purchase
commodities that they trade in various forms at the local village or
town markets. Besides, they also trade wool and leather in order to
purchase commodities that they do not produce themselves.
Much of the handiwork
seen in their decorated homes is that of their women. In fact,
Rabari women are famous for their embroidery work, called bharat
kaam, from which they make numerous traditional garments and
furnishings. The kediyun, a gathered jacket with an
embroidered smock, worn by young Rabari men and children, skirts and
blouses for the women and girls—are al dexterously embroidered.
Interestingly, the Rabari girl, completes over the years, her entire
dowry which includes clothes as well as beautiful quilts or derkee.
Kokulashtami,
after the rains, is marriage time. The men are back from their
wanderings for this al important occasion. All marriages take place
on this one day. Since child marriage is still very much in vogue
within this tribe, outsiders are distrusted. Again, the Rabari
marries only within the tribe and often into families which are
closely located. Marrying outside the fold leads to social
castigation and is very rare. While Rabari couples are probably the
most exotically dressed, the marriage is a simple ritual performed by
a Brahmin priest.
Rabaris, by and large,
and ardent followers and worshippers of the Mother Goddess. Each
clan has its own tribal goddess as the patron deity, though their
homes often have pictures of other gods and goddesses as well.
Strong tendencies of deifying and invoking the dead are still
prevalent—a pointer to the community’s old world origin.
Another old world custom
that has persisted is the custom of tattooing and there is a marked
similarity In the motifs used in their embroideries and tattoos.
As an outsider it is
difficult to communicate with these people since they speak a dialect
which is a mixture of Marwari and Gujarati. But once they understand
the visitor’s innocent curiosity, they exude the warmth and
friendship that has always been a part of their make-up.
THE SIDDIS
The origins of the Siddis
in India are lost in a maze of legends and historical calculations.
According to belief, “the kings and rulers of small territories
along the west coast of India, bought hordes of African slaves from
Arab slave traders. They used the women as servants in their places
and the men as hunters. Many people are also of the opinion that
Indian merchants with establishments abroad, brought with them Siddi
slaves from Abyssinia.” Historians however, have a different
tale to tell. They believe that the Siddis reached India as slaves
of invading armies who struck the Indian west coast. Some historians
believe that in the beginning of the 15th century, Negro
slaves were imported by the rulers of Bengal and when they were
eventually driven out of this State they settled along the west
coast.
There is however,
historical evidence to show that Mahmud Ghazni, employed the Siddis
as drum beaters in his army. Some of them, it is believed, settled
in Gujarat.
Whatever be their
origins, the Siddis are a distinctly Negroid-looking community who
are concentrated in two pockets in Gujarat: Jambur and Shirvan. The
community is known for the incredible stamina of its people and it is
for this reason that the Sports Authority of India has started to
train some Siddi youngsters in athletics and for track and field
events.
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