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Rabari

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

Members of the Rabari or Rewari tribe live throughout Gujarat, Punjab, Harayana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states in India. There are many other Rabari families who also live in Pakistan, especially in the region of Sindh. Rabaris are also known by other names such as Desai, Dewasi, Hirvanshi, Rebari, Rebadi,Rawari and Rayka/Raika. The word "Rabari" basically means the outsiders. This is because of their trade and what they used to do in times past. The Rabari's main business used to be raising cattle, camels and goats; for some traditional-minded families this is still the case now but the new generation is slowly moving away from this way of life. These animals needed lots of space for grazing and pasturing. Due to this reason, the Rabari couldn't live in town houses and have room for their animals also. They started living on the outskirts of towns and beyond for this necessity. This community was given a name by the general populace -"Dhani". Dhani means the Basati-community. As they were out side the main community, so the name became Rabari for these wandering and herding people.

Origin

About their origins, there are some interesting myths and legends. According to one of the legends on their origin, Lord Shiva gave Sambal, one of his minions, three apsaras - "beautiful heavenly nymphs" to marry and flourish with a condition that he would not speak one word to them. If Sambal violated the condition, the apsaras would be lost forever,never to return to him. From his union with the apsaras, one son and four daughters were born. Soon, the family grew large and one day the lord asked him to go and dwell on the Earth. Because of this reason Sambal and his family were called the "goers out of the path" or Rabari. Since then Sambal was called Rabari.

File:Rabari Man from North Gujarat.jpg
Rabari Man from North Gujarat

According to another legend, Sambal was an ace camel breeder. One day someone started to steal his beautiful and sturdy animals. Sambal soon discovered that the stealer was infact a goddess. However, Sambal caught her and through a clever stratagem removed her clothes, leaving her in an embarrassing situation. As per the tradition in situations like this, the two married and after wandering across Haryana, Rajasthan and Sindh, settled in the Kutch.

Rabaris are usually devout Hindus but many also follow the Sikh religion. According to their myth of existence, they were created by Parvati the wife of Lord Shiva, who wiped the dust and sweat from Lord Shiva as he was meditating and fashioned the very first camel from the dust balls she collected from his body. Once Lord Shiva had breathed life into this camel, it kept running away. So Parvati fashioned a man, and the first Rabari was given life so he could mind this camel. Keeping animals has thus always been a pious occupation and Rabaris see themselves primarily as custodians of grazing animals during their moral existence, rather than their owners. It is also their beliefs that the Mother Goddess presides over them. Her advice is taken about when to start out migration, and animals are commended to her care.

Some says Rabari are the remnant of Huns, who invaded India in the fifth century AD. King Mihirkul converted to Hinduism in sixth century.[1] King Mihirakul adapted Hindu religion, and became a devotee of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is the destroyer of evil in Hindu mythology. Hun is one of the subcastes of the Rabari.

Some Rabaris are also descended from Rajput clans, many clans like Rathod, Solanki, Bhati, Parmar, Chauhan, Panwar etc.These Rabari in the past were great warriors, wise men and clan royality. Rabari clans are called ' NAKH '. These clans are further sub-divided in SHAKHS [Branches].

A story regarding their migration is that, hundreds of years ago Jaiselmer, Rajasthan was the main centre for all Rabaris. Once, a Muslim King fell in love with a pretty young Rabari girl. However, his proposal was refused by the community. The king got very angry and threatened to kill all of the Rabari people. The Rabaris out of fear, broke their camp in the middle of the night with the help of a Muslim man. But the Muslim man while assisting the Rabaris in their escape, was killed by the king. So it is told that Rabari women started wearing black from then on to mourn the Muslim man's death. It is also said that the loyalty of this Muslim man gives insight to the ease of interaction between the Hindu Rabaris and Muslims found in the Kutch. Some historians associate the Muslim King with Ala-ud-din Khilji. During his rule, it is believed that the migration of the Rabaris took place to the Kutch. Some also identify Rabaris with Huns who came to India in the middle of the 1st millennium

Part of Large Family

Rabari With His Cattles

Rabaris are mainly dependent on milk profession. Other communities like them are identified by different names in different regions of the country like 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 ones 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 relationships to each other. Each of these are proud people. They developed their profession (cattle raising) independently of each other in different parts 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, Appugol, Ahir, Bharwad, Bharavadaru, Dhangar, Dhangad / Dhanwar / Dhanka /Dhangod, Doddi, Gadaria, Gaddi,Gadhariya, Gowda, , Gadri, Gurjar, Gollavadu, Gounder, Halumatha, Heggades, Idyar, Khuruk, Kuda, Kuruba, Kurumba, Kurmar, Kurumbar, Kalavar, Kuruma, Kurumavaaru, Kurkhi, Kurupu, Maldhari, Mer, Naikers, Nikhers, Oraon, Pal / Pala, Palaru, Paalakyatriya, Poduvar, Yadav, Pashupalak, Spetc. castes can be considered as their distant relatives.

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 themselves in education, milk business etc.

Religion

All Rabaris do follow Hindu religion. Rabari are worshippers of Mata Devi. Many of them serve as priests (Bhuva/Bhopa) in Mata Devi temples. Mata Devi, however is honoured in all her natural elements. Rabaris also worship 'Goga Maharaj', who is believed to be incarnation of 'Gogaji Chauhan', a brave Rajput warrior, who laid down his life to save the cows of Rabaris. 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. Rabaris in North-Gujarat annually performs 'Ramel', In which rituals are done for whole night by Bhuvas (Priests), generally in Chaitra maas(in summer).

Important religious places of Rabari caste:-

Dwarkadheesh Krishna Mandir
  • Valinath Akhada, near Visnagar, (Gujarat).
  • Ravrai Ravechi Mataji Dham, near Rapar, (Gujarat).
File:Goga maharaj wp.jpg
Goga Maharaj
  • Momai Mataji, Loej & Deri, near Mangrol, Gujarat.
  • Momai Mataji, Balej, near Porbandar, Gujarat.
  • Vadwala Mandir, Tintoda, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
  • Pirana Mandir, Balisana, near Patan, Gujarat.

Rabari Culture

Traditional Tattoos

Rabaris do have very rich cultural past and present. They are known for their "Rabari Bharat (Embroidery)" ,especially in Kutch. Embroidery is a vital, living and evolving expression of the crafted textile tradition of the Rabaris. Rabari women diligently do embroidery on textiles as an expression of creativity, aesthetics and identity as far as the tribe’s collective memory goes. Afternoons are time for embroidery in all Rabari villages when women routinely embroider trousseaus, everyday apparel, dowry bags, bride's ghagro (skirt), kanchali (blouse) and ludi (veil), the groom's kediyan or shirt, children's cradle cloths as well as dowry bags and auspicious torans. Rabari embroidery is very vigorous, with bold shapes. Designs are taken from mythology and from their desert surroundings. They use glass mirrors in various shapes: round, lozenge, rectangular, square, triangular, and beak shaped. The stitches are square chain interlaced with buttonhole for mirror work, single chain, knot, Romanian, blanket interlaced with herringbone, running, and double running. Another interesting aspect of Rabari women is their earrings which is the most abstract form of snake earrings. Women in Puskar, Rajasthan describe a mushroom as snake umbrella, because it comes out after the rains and snakes have the habit of hiding under its hood. The nagali earring is supposed to stand for the double shape of the mushroom.

Rabari tribes, now living in Kutch passed the Puskar region on their migration from the north of Rajasthan and may have seen the local earrings there, or rather transferred their main designs to the village people.

The nagali earrings of the Kutchi Rabari with their spiral, spring like shape can be considered as the form most closely related to snake. 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. 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.

In contrast to woman, a Rabari man commonly appears in white dress, golden earrings and a big stick in the hand. They wear dhoti and on the top a short double breasted waist coat (all white) laced over the chest and tied, long sleeves which are gathered up and folded at the arms. The head is covered with 'Paghadi'(Turban).

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.

One of the most common thing in their culture is highlighted in their food habit, it is that from wherever they may belong, they consume lots of milk and milk products.

File:Rabari Woman from North Gujarat.jpg
Rabari Woman from North Gujarat

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. Rabari girls can be married from as young as 15-months old. Most of the Rabari marriages take place on the same day once a year and can be very extravagant event involving polygamist rites. 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 Gujarat some Rabaris became ministers and 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, Australia and Italy.

Rabari Subcastes (Shakh)

As said earlier,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 Laltuka, Nagoh, Moidav, Bhungor, Kola, Aal, Khambhalya, Khatana, Ghangol, Bhangra, , Kalotra, Mori, Bhumbhaliya, Savdharia, Punchlya, Kodiyatar, Bharai,etc.

A- Aal, Azaana

B- Bal, Bhaangra, Bhatcha or Bhaatka, Bhedred, Bhoku, Bhumbhaliya, Bhungor, Bhusya, Buchotar, Balesh, Bhim, Bhopu, Bhundre, Bhati

C- Chavda, Charakta, Chelaana (Bharai), Chauhan (Chohan), Charamta (Karamta)

D- Daya, Dev, Dodana, Diya

G- Galchar, Ghatiya, Gehar(punjab), Ghanghar

H- Hathol, Huchol (Suchol), Hun

I- Ihor

J- Jamla, Jaha, Jotana, Jiyod

K- Kachhela, Kachhod, Kaalor, Kaid, Kalotra, Khaambhalya, Khatana, Kola, Kankuta, Kataria

L- Lalutara, Laltuka, Lodha, Luni

M- Makwana, Moidav or Moree

N- Nagoh, Navor

P- Padhar, Padheriya, Pahwala, Parmar, Punchhalya, Padhiyar, Pavar, Patval, Panwar

R- Rangiya, Roziya, Rathod, Ranva

S- Sambod, Savdhariya, Seval, Shekha, Shilora, Solanki, Songra ,Sangawat

T- Tomar

U- Ulava, Umot

V- Vatma,Verana

Pride of Rabari Community

  • Dewangi J Desai, 1st lady MAMLATDAR . Rasila Rayka 2nd lady MAMLATDAR.
  • Ranchod Pagi, Libala Taluka.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.
  • Nathabhai Desai (Olavi), First MLA of Rabari Caste in Gujarat, now retired.
  • D K Dhagal, 1st IPS Of Rabari Community,Gujarat.now retired.
  • J M Luni,1st IAS Of Rabari Community ,Gujarat.
  • B D Galchar,1st IRS Of Rabari Community ,Gujarat.
  • Hamir Rabari, Hamirsar lake of Bhuj's name is dedicated to him.
  • Nimba Ram, First Rabari who has cleared civil service of India(UPSC)in 2007.
  • Arjunbhai Amibhai Rayka(Surat), He fought for independence with Portugese in Goa,Daman,Div,D.N & Haveli.
  • Babubhai Jesangbhai Desai, Danvir Ratna, MLA- Kankrej, Gujarat.
  • Usha Rada-DySP, 1st Rabari lady to be ACP, Gujarat.
  • Hirabhai Velabahi Khambhalya (Vankaner), He fought for independence with Junagadh Nawab,in Aarzee Hukumat battle.
  • Zanzan Ghanghar's family(Dhrangadhra) is known for recommendable achievement in the field of sports(Athletics) at national/international level.

Rabari politicians

  • Babubhai Jesangbhai Desai(Danvir Ratna), MLA- Kankrej, Gujarat.
  • Maljibhai Devjibhai Desai, Former MLA, Gujarat.
  • Ranchodbhai Rabari, Former Minister, Gujarat.
  • Bhikhabhai Desai,Former Minister, Vadodara, Gujarat.
  • Ottaram Dewasi, MLA,R ajasthan.
  • Ratibhai Desai, Former Mayor,Vadodara, Gujarat.
  • Babubhai Karshanbhai Rayka,Secretary of Gujarat Congress,Former Leader of Opposition of Surat Municipal Corporation and Former President Of Bar Council Of Surat, Gujarat.
  • Sanjaybhai Desai,Chairman, "Gujarat Gopalak Vikas Nigam", Kosamba, Surat, Gujarat.
  • Rameshbhai Desai,Former Leader of Ruling Party, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Gujarat.
  • Govabhai Hamirabhai Desai, Former MLA, Gujarat.
  • Kanjibhai Motibhai Desai,President, Taluka Panchayat, Patan, Gujarat.
  • Mehurbhai Lavtuka,Congerss President, Bhavnagar District, Gujarat.
  • Baldevbhai Luni,Secretary, Gujarat Congress, Gujarat.
  • Babubhai Motibhai Desai, Congerss President, Patan District, Gujarat.
  • Bhagabhai Rada,Standing Committee Chairman, Junagadh Municipal Corporation, Gujarat.

Rabari Government Officers (Class 1 & 2- Not retired)

  • J M Luni, 1st IAS , Gujarat.
  • B D Galchar, 1st IRS , Gujarat.
  • V V Rabari, IPS, Gujarat.
  • I M Desai, IPS, Gujarat.
  • Mihir Rayka, IRS, Gujarat.
  • Usha Rada, DySP, ACP, Gujarat.
  • S M Khatana, Dy.Collector, Gujarat.
  • Mr.Galchar, Dy.Colector., Gujarat.
  • Mr.Dhagal, Dy.Collector, Gujarat.
  • S L Galchar, Dy.Colector., Gujarat.
  • B L Desai, Dy.Director Social Welfare Dept., Gujarat.
  • Nimbaram, IRS, Rajastahan.
  • Baldevbhai C. Desai, DySP, ACP, Gujarat.(Selected in GPSC-2010)
  • Jasubhai Naranbahi Desai, DySP, ACP, Gujarat. ( " )
  • Rakesh Devabhai Desai, DySP, ACP, Gujarat. ( " )
  • Nitaben H. Desai, DySP, ACP, Gujarat. ( " )
  • Kananben M. Desai, DySP, ACP, Gujarat. ( " )
  • Virambhai Baldevbhai Rabari, Disrict Registrar, Gujarat. ( " )
  • S K Desai, Judge(JMFC), Gujarat.
  • Bhupendrabhai Desai, Salestax Officer, Gujarat.
  • Kusumben Desai, Salestax Officer, Gujarat.
  • Ruturaj Desai, Taluka Development Officer, Gujarat.
  • Jibhai Desai, Taluka Development Officer, Gujarat.
  • Ajit Desai, Taluka Development Officer, Gujarat.
  • Kamleshbhai Desai, Taluka Development Officer, Gujarat.
  • Jagdishbhai Desai, Mamlatdar, Gujarat.
  • Naranbhai Muchar, Mamlatdar, Gujarat.
  • Rasilaben Rayka, Mamlatdar, Gujarat.
  • Devangiben Desai, Mamlatdar, Gujarat.
  • Baldevbhai Desai, Asst.Commi.Salestax, Gujarat.
  • Devendrabhai Desai, Social Welfare Officer., Gujarat.
  • Akhibhai Luni, Mamlatdar, Gujarat.
  • Vaghjibhai S.Desai, DySP, Gujarat.
  • Ishwerbhai Nagjibhai Desai, DySP, Gujarat.
  • K.K. Desai, DySP, Gujarat.
  • Mahesh Babarbhai Desai (Domestic Ticketing Executive).
  • K A Karamta, Dy. Director of Information, Gujarat.
  • Late Narendra Kumar, Sub-lieutenant(Indian Navy).
  • Gautam Bhati, District Informatics Officer(NIC,Gujarat).
  • Hirabhai R.Desai, Police Inspector, Gujarat.
  • Bhanwar Lal Dewasi, 1st Dewasi Police Inspector, Rajasthan.
  • Babubhai M.Desai, Police Inspector, Gujarat.
  • Amratbhai R.Desai, Police Inspector, Gujarat.
  • Naranbhai L.Desai, Police Inspector, Gujarat.
  • Ramjibhai V.Desai, Police Inspector, Gujarat.
  • Dalabhai A.Desai, Police Inspector, Gujarat.
  • A S Bharai,Executive Er., Irrigation Dept., Gujarat.
  • Zaverbhai R.Desai, Police Inspector, Gujarat.

Community Hostels/Educational Institutions

  • Kirtivan Gopalak Chhatralay,Patan, Gujarat.
  • Junagadh Rabari Chhatralay, Junagadh, Gujarat.
  • Porbandar Rabari Chhatralay, Porbandar, Gujarat.
  • Deesa Rabari Chhatralay, Deesa, Gujarat.
  • Vada Rabari Chhatralay, Vada, Gujarat.
  • Shri Vadwala Dudhrej Chhatralay, Dudhrej, Gujarat.
  • Bhavnagar Rabari Chhatralay, Bhavnagar ,Gujarat.
  • Gopalak Chhatralay, Thara, Banaskantha, Gujarat.
  • Mangal Mandir Chhatralay, Bhujodi, Kutch, Gujarat.
  • Gopalak Chhatralay, Anjar, Kutch, Gujarat.
  • Gopalak Chhatralay, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Rabari NGO/Charitable Trusts

  • "RECT" ( Raika Education Charitable Trust), run by Lalsingh Pawar (Director) in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
  • "Ram Roti Annakshetra Aashram", run by Vaja Bhagat,Surendranagar, Gujarat.
  • "Marag", run by Laljibhai Desai in Gujarat.
  • "Manav Kalyan Trust", run by Lallubhai Desai, Gujarat.
  • "Janjagran Sangh", run by Tejabhai Desai, Gujarat.
  • "Neh", run by Hemant Bar, Surendranagar, Gujarat.

Community Magazines

  • "Gopal Bandhu", run by Govindbhai Desai, Gujarat.
  • "Rajasthan Lok Disha", run by Umedsingh Dewasi, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
  • "Gopal Gatha", run by Amrutbhai Desai, Gujarat.
  • "Rabari Mahima", run by Virabhai Kodiyatar, Porbandar, Gujarat.
  • "Gopalak Dotcom", run by Arjunbhai Desai,Vadodara, Gujarat.

Problems of Rabari Community

  • Lack of Literacy.
  • Child Marriage.
  • Prevalence of Superstitions.
  • Social barriers.
  • Redundant old age-traditions.
  • Long fought divorce problems.
  • Lack of hostels and community-places in major cities.
  • Large chunk of population still resides in rural area and earning very less.
  • Youth is unemployed or employed in sub-standard employment.
  • Reducing pasture land ('Gauchar').
  • Lack of representation in political arena despite of large population.
  • Lack of all-India or statewise unity organisations.
  • Migration from their native places.
  • Extravagant & expensive events like engagements,marriages,"Maameru"(Gift by Maternal side on marriage occasion ),dowry etc. and its imitation.
  • Absurd rituals like false crying,chest banging by women,making sweets like "Sheero" etc. on death ceremony

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Hunas in India by Upendra Thakur. Publish in 1967 by The Chowkhamba Senskrit, Banaras."
  • Robyn Davidson (November 1, 1997). Desert Places, pastoral nomads in India (the Rabari). Penguin. ISBN 0140267972.
  • Mirella Ferrera, People of the world. Published by VMB publisher 13100 Vercelli, Italy 2005
  • Rabari: A Pastoral Community of Kutch: by Francesco D'orazi Flavoni
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