Rabari

Asia in 1200 AD, showing the Yadava Dynasty and its neighbors.

Members of the Rabari or Rewari tribe live throughout Gujarat, Punjab, Harayana and Rajasthan states in India.They are also known as Desai,Dewasi,Hirvanshi and Rayka/Raika.The story of their origin has it that their men, instead of marrying women, married celestial apsaras, the daughters of the gods. Because of this they were called "the goers out of the path" or Rabari.Rabaris are also believed to be the sub-castes of Rajputs because they share many clans like Rathod,Solanki,Bhati,Parmar etc. with Rajputs.These clans are called ' NAKH ' in Rabaris.This clans are further sub-divided in SHAKHS [Branches].The total Shakhs are 133.The Shakhs are also known as "VIHOTAR" which means Vis+Sau+Ter(20+100+13=133). Rabari's have 133 sub casts like Nagoh, Moydav, Bhungor, Kola, Aal, Khambhalya, Khatana, Ghangol, Bhangra, Lavtuka, Kalotra, Mori, Bhumbhaliya, Savdhariya, Punchlya, Kodiyatar, seval, mori, azana , makavana, kachela, ranva, pahvara, padhiyar, bhangra, diya, jeed, sambod, laltuka, rajya, lalutra, rojiya, ranjya, charmta, shilora, umot, ulva, hathol, gatiya, gol, parmar, soranchi, jadav, vatma, haluka, buchotar, balech, gharchod, kaid, lodha, luni, motan, chelana, ihor, shekha, charkata, dhagal, dev, hunn,bhadchya, jotana, rathod, bar, bhoku, kaler, kachod etc.

The word "Rabari" means outsiders. This is because of their occupation. Rabari's main business used to be raising cattle, camels and goats; for some this is still the case. These animals needed lots of space for pasturing. Due to this, the Rabari couldn't live in towns and have room for their animals. They started living on the outskirts of towns and beyond for this necessity. They gave a name to such a community " Dhani ". Dhani means Basati-community. As it was out side the main community, so the name became Rabari for these people.

Another myth is very prevalent, that Rabari are the descendant of lord Shiva. Rabari are the remnant of Huns, who invaded India in the fifth century AD. The Hun king Mihirakul converted to Hinduism in sixth century. King Mihirakula adapted Hindu religion, and became a devotee of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is the destroyer of evil in Hindu mythology.

Now a days a very small percentage of Rabari are nomadic. (1-2%) Most of the grazing land is gone in India. , because of an increase in human population. After independence of India, many other opportunities opened up in business and education. So most Rabari at present day have settled down in their original communities, and are engaging in commerce and agriculture. Many have entered into politics. In state of Gujrat some Rabaries became ministers and some became member of parliament in Delhi. Education has opened up other avenue for them. So many became lawyers,engineers,teachers,nurses,dentists,doctors and MOD staff. Not all Rabari live in India now, some who wanted a better life,live abroad in countries like Canada,USA,UK and Australia.

Lifestyle

Traditionally they are camel herders, and were once nomadic people. These days the Rabaris are said to be semi-nomadic. They live in small hamlets of round huts with mud walls and thatched roofs. The women manage the hamlets and are shrewd and intelligent. They sell wool and clarified butter to city merchants and manage all money matters. The women are strong, tall and well built. The Rabari men can often be seen roaming the countryside with their droves. They travel hundreds of miles on annual migration routes in search of new pastures to graze their animals.

The Rabari women are easily distinguished by their long, black headscarves, which fall loosely to the ground. They wear distinctive heavy brass earrings which hang low, stretching the earlobes. They tattoo magical symbols onto their necks, breasts and arms. Their jewelry is modest in comparison to other tribal women. They wear small gold nose ring and silver and gold chains around the neck on which protective amulets are hung. Few simple glass bracelets adorn their arms. Rabari girls can be married from as young as 15-months old. All Rabari marriages take place on the same day once a year and can be very extravagant event involving polygamist rites.

Part of Large Family

Rabaris are mainly dependant on milk profession.Other communities like them are identified by different names in different regions of the country like Ahir,Maldhari, Dhanger,Gowda etc. The only commonality is the profession of cattle raising. They are living in different parts of India for millennia. While Rabari are comparatively recent migrant. They are the part of Huns (Hunas). Other tribe each claim different origin. An example, Oraon are earliest inhabitant (Abrogenial) of Orisa province in south east India. Prier to the arrival of Aryan tribe or Sanskrit speaking people. Reference Structure of Hindu society by N.K. Bose published by Oriental Longman limited Delhi in 1937. Gowda claim origin from Dravidians. Dravidians were the original people in India. They are the one who established Indus civilization. Reference Harpa and Monajodaro archaeological findings. These sites were in Indus valley thousands years prier to arrival of Aryan. These other tribes or caste are good, but none of them have any genealogical, hereditary, endogeny or exogeny relation ships to each other. Each of these are proud people. They developed their profession (cattle raising) independently of each other in different part of India over thousands of years ago. Reference to support this statement is found in the books published in twentieth century by many authors. Particularly by N.K.Bose as above. Second book, Castes. (The emergence of the South Asian social system) by Mortan Klass. Published by- Institute for study of Human issue, Philadelphia. PA. USA.

Andar, Ahiyaru, Ahir, Appugol, Maldhari / Bharwad / Rabari, Bharavadaru, Dhangar, Dhangad / Dhanwar / Dhanka /Dhangod, Doddi Gowda, Gadhariya, Gadaria, Gowda, Gaddi, Gadri, Gollavadu, Gounder, Halumatha, Heggades, Idyar, Khuruk, Kuda, Kuruba, Kuruba Gowda, Kurumba, Kurmar, Kurumbar, Kalavar, Kuruma, Kurumavaaru, Kurkhi, Kurupu, Naikers, Nikhers, Oraon, Pal / Pala, Palaru, Paalakyatriya, Poduvar, Yadavalu, Pashupalak, Rayka.

There are number of areas where Rabari community live, and majority of Rabari's live in all over in the states of India's Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhyapradesh and then now they are get involved and played important roles in the development of India by the developing their self in education, milk business etc. (www.hbbhadka.in)]

Religion

The Rabari are worshippers of Mata Devi.Many of them serve as priests (Bhuva/Bhopa) in Mata Devi temples throughout Gujarat. Mata Devi, however is honoured in all her natural elements, the most popular being the peacock feather and the conch shell.Rabari in Saurashtra region (Gujarat) believe in momai mataji. They have 8 main madh(temples) and 1 deri(temple).Every year on [Navratri festival] they celebrate a community function called punj.Rabari from all over the state, get together and worship the goddess.

Important religious places of Rabari caste:-

1.Dudhrej ,near Surendranagar(Gujarat).

2.Valinath Akhada ,near Visnagar(Gujarat).

3.Pirana ,near Ahmedabad(Gujarat).

4.Ravrai Ravechi Mataji Dham ,near Rapar(Gujarat).

5.Kasva Goga Maharaj ,near Kadi,(Gujarat).

6.Chamunda Mata,Chotila ,near Sayla,(Gujarat).

7.Dwarkadhish Krishna ,Dwarka ,near Jamnagar,(Gujarat).

8.Ramdev Pir,Ramdevra,Pokhran,Rajasthan.

9.Khodiyarmata Temple,Bhavnagar,Gujarat.

Rabari Culture

Rabaris do have very rich cultural past and present.They are known for their "Rabari Bharat (Embroidery)",especially in Kutch. They also do have mass collection of rare folk songs and stories.Rabari women even sing on their loved one's death occasion,which is their tradition.Their attire(clothes),which is different on regional basis,also shows their culture.We can see that in Navratri festival days,urban people try to imitate their attire.

Famous Rabaris

1. Ranchod Pagi (Libala Ta.Vav) Dist.Banaskantha-He helped immensely to Indian Army as a guide during the war of 1965 A.D and the war of 1971 A.D with Pakistan.He is in good health at the age of post 80.

2. Sagar Rayka-First and the only Member of Parliament of Rabari Caste.

3. Nathabhai Desai (Olavi)- First MLA of Rabari Caste in Gujarat.

4. Lalsingh Pawar-Director, RECT( Raika Education Charitable Trust).

5. Mihir Rayka- First Rabari who has cleared UPSC exam in Gujarat.

6. Hamir Rabari-Hamirsar lake of Bhuj's name is dedicated to him.

7. Nimba Ram-First Rabari who has cleared civil service of India(UPSC)in 2007.

8. Arjunbhai Amibhai Rayka(Surat)-He fought for independence with Portugese in Goa,Daman,Div,D.N & Haveli.

9. Babubhai Jesangbhai Desai-Danvir Ratna,MLA-Kankrej,Gujarat.

10. Usha Rada-DySP,1st Rabari lady to be ACP, Gujarat.

Problems of Rabari community

1.Lack of Literacy.

2.Child Marriage.

3.Prevalance of Superstitions.

4.Social barriers

5.Redundant old age-traditions.

6.Long fought divorce problems.

7.Lack of hostels and community-places in major cities.

8.Large chunk population still resides in rural area and earning very less.

9.Youth is unemployed or employed in sub-standard employment.

10.Reducing pasture land [ 'Gauchar' ].

11.Lack of representation in political arena despite of large population .

Rabari Politicians

1. Sagar Rayka,First and the only Member of Parliament of Rabari Caste.

2. Nathabhai Desai(Olavi),First MLA of Rabari Caste in Gujarat.

3. Babubhai Jesangbhai Desai(Danvir Ratna),MLA- Kankrej,Gujarat.

4. Govabhai Hamirabhai Desai,Former MLA,Gujarat.

5. Maljibhai Devjibhai Desai,Former MLA,Gujarat.

6. Ranchodbhai Desai,Former Minister,Gujarat.

7. Bhikhabhai Desai,Former Minister, Vadodara,Gujarat.

8. Ratan Shankarbhai Dewasi,MLA,Rajasthan.

9. Ottaram Dewasi,MLA,Rajasthan.

10. Ratibhai Desai,Former Mayor,Vadodara,Gujarat.

11. Babubhai Karshanbhai Rayka,Former Leader of Opposition of Surat Municipal Corporation and Former President Of Bar Council Of Surat,Gujarat.

12. Sanjaybhai Desai,Chairman,Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam.

Rabari Government Officers

1.Mr.Dhagal-1st IPS of Rabari caste,Gujarat.

2.J M Luni-1st IAS of Rabari caste,Gujarat.

3.Mr.Galchar-1st IRS of Rabari caste,Gujarat.

4.V V Rabari-IPS,Gujarat.

5.I M Desai IPS,Gujarat.

6.Usha Rada,DySP,ACP,Gujarat.

See also

• Dhangar
• Maldhari

• Rabari, Hindu of India
• RABARIS - THE PASTORAL COMMUNITY
• THROUGH A PHOTOGRAPHER'S EYE - RABARI
• In and around Jodhpur, Rabari nomads
• Rabaris
• "Rabari" the Last of the Wandering Shepherds
• Rabari Tribals of Kutch, Gujarat
• The People
• rabari online
• JAY VADWALA

References

2. Mirella Ferrera, People of the world. Published by VMB publisher 13100 Vercelli, Italy 2005

• Sinlung Sinlung - Indian tribes