Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RABARI, GARASIA/GRASIA, AND
BHIL TRIBAL VILLAGES
We visited many small villages roaming around Gujarat. The tribes that stood out, for
either their culture or clothing, were the Rabari, Grasia and Bhil. These three tribes also have
sub-classifications that continue drilling down into, what it seemed, infinity. Let's not even
go there... Below is what I think were the most interesting tribal "bits and bobs."
The Rabari made the biggest impact. We saw members of the many different Rabari (Re-
wari) tribes throughout Gujarat. However, they also live in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Pakistan.
Known by other names such as Desai and Dewasi, I could usually recognize a Rabari man
commonly dressed in all white: a
dhoti
for pants; short doublebreasted jacket that flared out
in back, laced over the chest, and had long sleeves gathered and folded at the arms. He also
wore gold earrings and carried a big stick. Completely distinctive and impossible to miss;
especially when the man added an intricately wound, fire-engine red turban. Talk about mak-
ing a fashion statement! I can't tie a scarf with the same panache that these men wound their
turbans.
The Garasia/Grasia tribal community is the third largest tribal group in Rajasthan. Living
in small one-room houses, the men know how to, and do, perform all the basic household
chores. Give a big shout-out to the Grasia men! Intermarriage with other Bhil tribes is al-
lowed and Grasia couples can live together without getting married. I loved the women's
Grasia jackets. They visit their local tailor, pick out material, and color combinations; he
then sews this into the same pattern worn by all Grasia women, with an important distinc-
tion. Their name is machine embroidered on the jacket. Once we saw jackets being made, it
was easy to recognize the Grasia women.
The Grasia also wear distinctive silver jewelry. We spent some time in a local Virampur
jewelry shop where the owner insisted on showing us all his wares. I fell for one bracelet
but after finding out it was a "widow's bracelet," couldn't bring myself to buy it. I love big
'ol ex-Marine, and felt it would be bad luck. According to Niru and jeweler,
everything
is
pure silver, sold by weight and the tribal people wear their jewelry day and night, whether in
the fields or not. All money goes into jewelry, land and animals, in that order. Sounds like a
plan to me.
Bhil tribes of India are the largest tribe of South Asia comprising 39% of the total pop-
ulation of Rajasthan. Their village headman deals with all major disputes. The Bhil strictly
adhere to rules of their society and marry only in their own class. Loosely translated, "Bhil"
means "bow" and these people were employed as archers and warriors by the Rajputs. They
practice Polygamy and a women is allowed to marry a man of her choice even
after mar-
