Rabari

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Members of the Rabari tribe are found living throughout Gujarat and south Rajasthan. 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.

This is a muth, just like many myths in Indai. Rabari marry in their own community just like any other people in India. Some time, though rarely, marry out side into Jats and Rajputs.

Meaning of Rabari word is correct. Rabari means out siders. This is because of their ocupation. Rabari's main business use to be raising cattles, Like camel, goat and cow. These cattle need lots of space for barns. They can not live in a town and have room for their cattles. They started living out skirt of twons byand for this necesity. They gave name to such 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 prevelant, that Rabari are the decendent of lord Shiva. It is just a myth. Rabari are the remanent of Huns, who invaded India in fifth century AD. Hun king Mihirakla converted to Hinduisum in sixth century. Reference "The Hunas in India by upendra Thakur. publish in 1967 by The Chowkhamba senskrit, Banaras." King Mihirakula adapted Hindu relegion. Became devotee of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is the destroyer of evil in hindu mythology. King Mihirakula certainly followed his God. In the wake of his conquset of northern India, he not only conqured the territory, but destroyed many human lives and property in the process. That is where this myth started.

Now a days avery small percentage of Rabari follws nomedic life. (1-2%) This is not due to enlightment. It is from the necesity. Most of the grazing land is gone in India. Because increase human population. After independance of India, many other oppartunities opened up in business and education. So most Rabari at present day have settled down in their original communities, and are egaging in commerace 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, engeneers and doctors

[edit] Lifestyle

Traditionally they are camel herders, and were once a nomadic people. These days the Rabari can be 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 jewelery 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.

[edit] Religious

The Rabari are worshippers of Mata Devi, the great all-embracing goddess. Many of them serve as priests 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.

[edit] See Also

• Dhangar
• Maldhari