|
Tribal Tours of Rajasthan
|
 Rajasthan's
population includes many tribals, who today constitute 12% of
the state population, nearly double the national average. The
main tribes of Rajasthan are the Bhils and the Minas that were
the original inhabitants of the area now called Rajasthan. But
they were forced into the Aravalli Range by the Aryan invasion.
Smaller tribes include the Sahariyas, Garasias and the Gaduliya
lohars.
The tribes share common
traits, which seem to link their past together but it is the
differences in their costumes and jewellery, fair and festivals
that set them apart from one another.
Bhils
The Bhils compromise 39% of Rajasthan's tribal population. Their
stronghold is Banswara. The generic term derives from Bhils,
which describe their original talent and strength. The Bhils
maintained their numbers by mingling with rebellious outcaste
Rajputs |
|
According to legends, the Bhils were fine archers. Bhil bowmen
are mentioned in both the Mahabarata and Ramayan. They were
highly regarded as warriors and the Rajput rulers relied on
them. Although originally food gatherers, the Bhils these days
have taken up small-scale agriculture, city residence and
employment.
The Baneshwar fair is a Bhil festival held near Dungarpur in
January/February each year and large number of Bhils gather for
several days for singing, dancing and worshipping. Holi is
another important time for Bhils. Witchcraft magic and
superstition are deeply rooted aspects of the Bhil culture.
|
|
........Book
This Tour Package............ |
|
Minas
The Minas are the second largest tribal group in the state after
the Bhils and are the most widely spread. They
may have been original inhabitants of the Indus Valley
civilization. The Vedas and the Mahabharta mention them, and it
was the Kachhawah Rajputs who finally dispersed them and forced
them into the Aravallis. The Minas have a tall, athletic build
with sharp features, large eyes, thick lips and a light brown
complexion.
They live in the regions of Shekhawati and eastern Rajasthan.
The name Minas is derived from 'men fish'. Originally they were
a ruling tribe, but their slow downfall began with the Rajputs,
and was completed when the British Government declared them a
'Criminal tribe' in 1924, mainly to stop them from trying to
regain their territory from the Rajputs. |
|
Just like the Bhils, the
literacy rate among the Minas was very low, but is improving.
Marriage, arranged by the parents is generally within the tribe
and most marriages take place when the children are quite young.
Gaduliya Lohars
The Gaduliya Lohars, named after their beautiful bullock carts
('gadis'), were originally a martial Rajput tribe, but nowadays
they are nomadic blacksmiths. They are said to have wandered
from their homeland of Mewar because of their promise to their
'lord' Maharana Pratap who was ousted from Chittaurgarh by Akbar.
This clan of warring Rajputs vowed to re-enter the city only
after the victory of Maharana Pratap who was, however,
unfortunately killed in the battlefield.
|
|
........Book
This Tour Package............
Garasias
They are a small Rajput tribe found along the Abu Road area of
Southern Rajasthan. The Garasias have an interesting custom of
marriage through elopement, which usually takes place at the
annual Gaur Fair held during the full moon in March. After the
elopement, which can be spontaneous or pre-arranged, a bride
price is paid to the bride's father.
Sahariyas
They are thought to be of Bhil origin and are found in the areas
of Kota, Dungarpur and Sawai Madhopur in the south- east of the
state. The Sahariyas are jungle dwellers, their name possibly
deriving from the Persian 'Sehr'. The Sahariyas are regarded as
the most backward tribe in Rajasthan and make out a living as
shifting cultivators and by hunting and fishing. |
|
Damors
The small tribal community of Damors probably migrated from
their original home in Gujarat to settle in Dungarpur and
Udaipur districts. They are mainly cultivators and manual
labourers.
|
|
a |
|