INDIA - The Rabaris

All the photographs are by:

MITCHELL KANASHKEVICH - TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY, REPORTAGE / DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY, CULTURE, TRADITIONS

http://mitchellkphotos.com/

The Rabari people are a mystery of Kutch. Their lifestyle is completely different from any other tribe. North-west India has many castes of the Rabaris which are simply divided in three tribes in Kutch: Desi Rabaris, Dhebariya Rabaris and Vagadiya Rabaris. Desi Rabari live in the central and western sides of Kutch, Dhebariya Rabaris mainly live near Anjar Taluka and Vagadiya Rabaris live in the village named Vagad situated in the eastern side of Kutch. The story of their origin is likely related with Lord Shiva doing self mortification in Himalayas. The Rabaris move from one village to another by throwing away their house hold materials and small kids on a reverse bedstead kept on camels' backs.

It is said that Rabaris originally came from Jaisalmer of Rajasthan just like Mewar. As stated by an expert, Rabaris came to Kutch from Afghanistan through Baluchistan. But, some people still believe that they came from Sindh. Rabaris are expert camel breeders, cattle herders and shepherds. They are normally Hindus.

There are about 2500 to 3000 Rabari families in Kutch. Population of the Dhebariyas is the biggest population of Rabaris in Kutch. Midialo of Anjar Taluka is the main village of Dhebariyas and almost 800 Rabari families live in this small village.

A Rabari man commonly appears in the white dress with a white turban on his head or handkerchief of Kathi Ajarakh, a white full Abho, chorni like charsa, Ajarakh kerchief on shoulders, golden ear-rings and a big stick in one hand and Rabari women normally wear backless blouses with Odhanis.

Rabari men respect women. Men stay mostly in the desert the whole day with their sheep and camels. Women are normally busy in house work, shopping and selling their goods. Rabari women also do interesting embroidery of toran, thela, popat, blouse, gagra and decoration for the camels. Some of the women do the bead work.

Rabari people always keep their houses neat and clean. They decorate their houses with cow dung in which they make different and colourful designs of Putli, Paniari, Scorpio, Nag, Camel, Mor, Mango, Tree, Sudo and Kanudo. Their houses are spotless and normally Rabaris are found in groups.

Rabaris believe that the colour black is a symbol of sadness. Rabaris are almost illiterate and they have blind faith in religion. Bhopas are the chief of Rabaris. Rabaris love the nature much. They worship Mataji, Sikotara, Momaya, Loladi, Bhed, Vankol, Amba, Khodiyar, Hingalaj etc. There is an important journey called Hingalaj Yatra to all Rabaris. Usually, all Rabaris go to their holy places by foot. If someone of them dies on the way to the holy places, then they make a memorial stone with his name in his native village. Rabaris never trust doctors and they only use the Ayurvedic medicines.

Desi Rabaris are the oldest community of Rabaris in Kutch. They raise crops in addition to keeping herds of camels, buffaloes and sheep. Vagadiya Rabaris depend on herds of sheep, goats and camels for their lives.

All marriages of the Rabaris are still celebrated on only one day; Lord Krishna's birthday. In the recent years, a Kutchi Rabari group of women joined Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan (KMVS).

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• India
• Rabari
• Travel

[manisha2727]

Thank you for sharing this video. I am Rabari and it was very touching to see this video. Where were these pictures taken in India?

[someonewhocansee]

Yes these pictures were taken in India .. and I'm honored you enjoyed watching this video!

[AceroySangre]

Romani people seem realted to them

[someonewhocansee]

They are!:) Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!

[purespirit9]

Absolutely splendid! I love Indian culture especially their music. Thank you someonewhocansee! 5/5

[someonewhocansee]

I'm delighted you enjoyed it my great friend!

[KrisDesai]

amazingggg !!!!! proud to be Rabari..no doubt..i live in US but always proud to call my self Rabari..

[anuja8380]

Its heart touching though I am a Rajasthani!!I have spent my childhood vacations at my native place and now I miss all those moments which I cherished among Rabari's,their life is hard but wonderful and I am happy that I learnt the art of living from them by just observing their lives!!

[vimal6435]

@manisha2727

Yeah This Is Just An Extraordinary And Awesome

I Enjoyed The Photos End Da Touching Muzik And

Proud 2 b Royal Blood Of Rabari :)

[aghahowa11]

ugliest race i seen

[yashhalvawala]

Hello, Nice, Very Nice video, one of my friend is also Rabari, he well explained me about them. And by the way please, can anyoone tell me which is this background song. How it is called ?

[purespirit9]

@IndiaCobra I thought you was referring to the Native American Indians of USA, so that was where i went wrong with the comment. Anyway I think the Indians of India here in the USA like the convenience of USA life and are driven to earn money so yes i guess they do embrace it because they like it. Some do return to India I think and others continue to stay. The world spins with change and it effects culture. Look into the future, another century will our way of culture still exist? We all wonder.

[purespirit9]

@IndiaCobra Excuse me I am not ignorant! So okay we weren't on the same page but I guess i read it wrong but thanks for explaining the subject, makes sense now. Sorry about that indiaCobra. lol

[IndiaCobra]

@purespirit9 You can’t be that ignorant to miss read what I am saying. I did am not criticizing those Indian in the USA or the UK. In fact what I said was that those in the UK and the USA provably love their Indian culture more than those in India. Why would I treat anyone differently or as outsiders if they showed no ill feel toward me? I my self is married to a Rabaran and do know how to hold my culture even more then those in India, not because I am married to a Rabaran

[purespirit9]

@IndiaCobra You sound like a person who don't appreciate the goodness being said about these people in video, I wonder if your one of those who treat them as outsiders when they come to your villiage or UK? I don't think you know the Indians well enough in the USA to critisize them the way you just did. They embrace their culture just as Indians in India do and yes they are influenced into the western world as are the indians from India. Don't be to quick to judge as you sound ignorant.

[IndiaCobra]

@KrisDesai its great that after moving to the USA and places like the UK we have kept our own culture. These Indians who are still is India seem to want to, with great shame, to quick to forget their own culture and to quick to embrace the western way of life especially those of the USA and UK

[IndiaCobra]

@someonewhocansee I am galds to see this sort of video here. I love Indian culture and music but its a great shame that Indian generally are to quick to forget their own culture and to quick to embrace the western way of life especially those of the USA.