TRIBES OF RAJASTHAN

KANJAR TRIBE

• Origin of Name: The term “Kanjar” is derived from Kananachara, meaning wandering in the forest.
• Region: Primarily resides in the Hadoti region.
• Occupation: Known historically for criminal activities.
• Ritual: Before committing a crime, they perform a ritual called Pati Manga, where they seek blessings from their deities.
• Deities:
  • Jogania Mata: Clan deity with a temple in Chittorgarh.
  • Chauth Mata: Located in Sawai Madhopur.
  • Rakt Danji Mata: Worshipped in Bundi (Santoor region).
  • Hanuman: Revered deity.
• Cultural Practices:
  • Every home has a compulsory window at the back.
  • They never lie after drinking the cup of Hakam Raja.
  • They pour alcohol into the mouth of a deceased person and bury the dead.
  • Their preferred meat is that of a peacock.
  • Community Chief: Known as Patel.
• Dances: Chakri and Dhakad.

KATHODI TRIBE

• Origin: Originally from Maharashtra, migrated to Udaipur in Rajasthan.
• Occupation: Historically involved in making katha from the khair tree.
• Lifestyle:
  • Do not drink milk but are fond of alcohol, including women.
  • Tattooing is a common practice among women.
  • Head of the tribe is known as Nayak.
  • Their huts are called Kholra.
• Population: A vulnerable tribe with only 35-40 families remaining.
• Government Support: Provided 250 days of employment under MNREGA.
• Deities: Dungardev, Vastu Dev, Gam Dev, Bharti Mata, Kansari Mata.
• Dance: Mavaliya, Holi.
• Special Mention: They are fond of monkey meat.

DAMOR TRIBE

• Region: Primarily resides in the Dungarpur district.
• Origin: Traces roots to Rajputs with similar gotras like Chauhan, Sisodia, Parmar, etc.
• Main Area: Seemalwara Panchayat Samiti in Dungarpur is known as the Damaria Area.
• Occupation: Unlike many tribes, not dependent on forests; they engage in farming and animal husbandry.
• Cultural Practices:
  • Polygamy is common.
  • Bride price, known as Dapa, is paid to obtain a bride.
  • Head of the tribe is known as Mukhi.
  • Holi Celebrations involve a ritual called Chadiya.
• Fairs:
  • Chaila Bavji’s Fair: In Panchmahal, Gujarat.
  • Fair of Gyaras: Held in Dungarpur.
• Language: Influenced by Gujarati.
• Cultural Traits: Men often wear jewelry similar to women.

SANSI TRIBE

• Region: Predominantly found in the Bharatpur region.
• Marriage Practice: Known for not allowing widow remarriage.
• Sub-Castes: Bija and Mala.
• Ritual: Bhakhar Bavji is a revered figure, and they do not lie after taking an oath in his name.
• Deity: Sikodari Mata is their primary tutelary goddess.
• Custom: Kukri Ritual, where a girl’s character is tested after marriage.

GARASIA TRIBE

• Region: Resides in Abu and Pindwara in the Sirohi district, Bali Tehsil in Pali, and Gogunda Tehsil in Udaipur.
• Sacred Site: Considers Nakki Lake as holy and immerses bones there.
• Cultural Beliefs: The peacock and white animals are deemed sacred.
• Community Head: Known as Sahlot or Palvi.
• Marriage Practice: Love marriages are common, especially during the Gangaur fair in Ghiawa village.
• Cultural Distinction: Garasia women are renowned for their beauty.
• Types of Marriage:
  • Morabandhiya
  • Tanna: Marriage by paying money.
  • Pehrawna
  • Melbo
  • Khevano: Marrying a lover.
  • Seva
• Panchayat System:
  • Moti Nyat: Babor Haia.
  • Nanki Nyat: Moderia.
  • Nichali Niyat.
• Marriage with Bhil:
  • If a Garasia man marries a Bhil woman, they are called Bhil Garasia.
  • If a Garasia woman marries a Bhil man, they are known as Gameti Garasia.
• Fairs:
  • Koteshwar Fair: In Ambaji, Gujarat.
  • Chetar Vichitra Mela: In Delwara (Sirohi).
• Cultural Practices: Memorial structures called Hurray are built for deceased persons. They build storage cells known as Sohri, and the courtyard outside the house is referred to as Osra.
• Cooperative Society: Known as Helroo.

SAHARIYA TRIBE

• Origin of Name: The term “Sahariya” is derived from the Persian word ‘Sahar’, meaning jungle.
• Region: Predominantly reside in Shahbad and Kishanganj in the Baran district.
• Status: The only tribe in Rajasthan recognized as ‘primitive tribes’ by the Government of India.
• Three-tier Panchayat System:
  • Panchtai: Governs 5 villages.
  • Ekadasia: Governs 11 villages.
  • Chaurasi: Governs 84 villages.
• Community Practices:
  • Valmiki is revered as their Adipurush (forefather).
  • Kodia Mata is the clan deity.
  • They also worship Tejaji and Bhairanuji.
  • Do not practice dowry and do not perform Shraddh (rituals for deceased ancestors).
  • The Ghunghat (veil) is worn only inside the house by women.
  • Women can have tattoos, but men are prohibited from tattooing.
  • The village head is known as Kotwal.
  • A large village is called Saharol, and a small settlement is referred to as Saharana.
  • The community center in the village is called Dhalia, Hathi, or Bangla.
  • They build houses on trees, known as Korua, Topa, or Gopna.

• Cultural Traditions:
  • Lathmar Holi and Heed songs are sung during Deepawali.
  • On Makar Sankranti, they play a game called Legi with wooden poles.
  • Alha and Lenghi songs are popular during the rainy season.
  • Dhari Sanskar is performed among the Ghariya community within the tribe.

BHIL TRIBE

• Historical Significance: The oldest tribe in Rajasthan and the second largest after the Meena tribe.
• Origin of Name: James Todd derived “Bhil” from Bhil, meaning bow and arrow.
• Region: Mainly reside in Udaipur, which has the largest Bhil population.
• Settlement:
  • Their houses are called Tapra or Ku.
  • A colony is referred to as phala.
  • The village head is called Palavi or Tadvi, and the head of the tribe is known as Gameti.
• Cultural Practices:
  • Worship Totam, symbolized by tree plants.
  • Marriage ceremonies are performed using tree plants as witnesses, known as Hathivendo marriage.
  • Baradi Mata is the goddess of marriage.
  • No child marriages are practiced.
  • Chira Bawsi: Stone idols are made for deceased ancestors, believed to contain their souls.
  • Phire-Phire: War cry of the Bhils.
  • Pakharia: A title given to a Bhil who kills a cavalry soldier.
• Customs:
  • Cheda Fhadna: Term for divorce.
  • If a woman leaves her husband and marries another, the new husband gives quarrelsome money to the first.
  • Collective work by the tribe is called Helmo.
• Economy:
  • Practice shifting farming, called Walra (Jhuming).
  • Chimata: Shifting farming in hilly areas.
  • Dajiya: Shifting farming in plains.
• Fairs:
  • Beneshwar Fair in Dungarpur.
  • Ghotia Amba in Banswara: Contains temples dedicated to Kunti and the Pandavas.
• Traditional Attire:
  • Dhepada: Tight dhoti worn by men.
  • Khoyatu: Garment for men, worn around the waist.
  • Piriya: Yellow saree worn by brides.
  • Sinduri: Red saree worn by women.
  • Parijani: Thick brass bangles worn on feet.
  • Kachabu: Garment for women worn around the waist.

MEENA TRIBE

• Population: The most populous tribe in Rajasthan.
• Region: Highest population in the Jaipur district.
• Education: Known as the most educated tribe in Rajasthan.
• Social Structure: Divided into two main classes:
  • Jamindar Meena: Landowners.
  • Chaukidar Meena: Village watchmen.
• Deities:
  • Bhuria Baba: Clan deity.
  • Extinguished deity is also worshipped.

• Cultural Practices:
  • Morni Mandana: A custom during marriage ceremonies.
• Language: Rich in oral traditions and songs that depict social customs and rituals.