Rabari Tribe
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 Basti-community. As they were outside the main community, so the name became Rabari for these wandering and herding people.
[edit]Caste and Faith
Rabaris are often devout Hindus but many follow the Sikh religion. Keeping animals is considered 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. Rabari clans are called nakhs, and are further sub-divided into shakhs "branches".
Rabaris claim descent from Rajput clans such as the Rathore, Solanki, Bhati, Paramara, Chauhan, Tanwar and Ponwar. James Tod specifically places them as Bhati rajputs descedants of the seventh wife (Bhadra) of the prophet Kirshana.[1]
[edit]Part of Large Family
File:Rabari.JPG
Rabari
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
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 Basti-community. As they were outside the main community, so the name became Rabari for these wandering and herding people.
[edit]Caste and Faith
Rabaris are often devout Hindus but many follow the Sikh religion. Keeping animals is considered 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. Rabari clans are called nakhs, and are further sub-divided into shakhs "branches".
Rabaris claim descent from Rajput clans such as the Rathore, Solanki, Bhati, Paramara, Chauhan, Tanwar and Ponwar. James Tod specifically places them as Bhati rajputs descedants of the seventh wife (Bhadra) of the prophet Kirshana.[1]
[edit]Part of Large Family
File:Rabari.JPG
Rabari
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