Tribes of Rajasthan : Meena, Bhil, Garasia

General information about tribes of Rajasthan :-

• In Rajasthan-
  • The largest tribe is Meena.
  • The second largest tribe is Bhil.
  • The third largest tribe is Garasia.

1. Meena tribe

• This is the most populated and most educated tribe of Rajasthan.
• Main area : Jaipur
• It mainly consists of two classes. Like-
  1. Zamindar Meena
  2. Chowkidar Meena
• Main deity : Bhuria Baba
• Morni Mandana : A marriage ritual

2. Bhil tribe

• According to James Tod, the word Bhil is derived from ‘Veel/Beel’ which means- ‘bow and arrow’.
• This is the oldest and second largest tribe of Rajasthan.
• Main area : Udaipur
• Colonel James Todd called the Bhils ‘Vanputra’.
• William Ronne in his book “Wild Tribes of India” has described Marwar as the place of origin of Bhils.
• House : Tapra/Ku
• Locality : Fala
• Village : Pal
• Village Chief : Palvi/Tadavi
• Tribe Chief : Gameti
• Kul Devta : Totem (Trees and plants are considered symbols of totem.)
• Hathiwendo Marriage : Marriage done by considering trees and plants as witnesses
• Goddess of Marriage : Bharadi Mata
• In this tribe, the groom has to draw a picture of Bharadi Mata in his in-laws’ house.
• Child Marriage : No
• Dapa : Bride price given during marriage
• Divorce : Cheda Phadna
• Jhagda (Jhagda Rashi) : If a woman starts living with another man, then that person gives money to her former husband which is called Jhagda Rashi.
• Blood Price (Moutana) : Money paid in exchange for death
• War Cry : Fire-Fire
• If a Bhil person kills a horseman, he is called ‘Pakharia’.
• Walra : Shifting cultivation
• Chimata : Shifting cultivation in hilly areas
• Dajia : Shifting cultivation in plains
• Helmo : Collective farming work
• Fairs :-
  1. Beneshwar Fair : Dungarpur (Shiv temple is built here.)
  2. Ghotiya Amba Fair : Banswara (Kunti and 5 Pandavas temples are built here.)
• Costume :-
  1. Thepada/Dhepada : Tight dhoti of men
  2. Khoytu : Normal dhoti of men
  3. Piriya : Yellow colored saree of bride
  4. Sinduri : Normal red colored saree
  5. Parijani : Brass bangles worn on the feet by women
  6. Kachabu : Cloth worn on the waist by women (Ghaghra/Lehenga)
• After drinking the saffron of Kesaria Nath ji, the people of this tribe do not lie.
• The people of this tribe drink liquor made from Mahua.
• Chira Bavasi : People of this tribe believe in the existence of the soul of their dead ancestors. Therefore, they make a stone idol of the dead person and consecrate it, which is called ‘Chira-Bavasi’.

3. Garasia Tribe

• Main Area : Pindwara (Abu, Sirohi), Bali (Pali), Gogunda (Udaipur)
• The word Garasia is derived from ‘Garas’ which means- ‘piece’
• Joint Family System : No
• Three-tier Panchayat System :-
  1. Moti Nyat (Big/High Panchayat) : Its member is called ‘Babor Haiya’.
  2. Nenki Nyat (Medium Panchayat) : Its member is called ‘Maderia’.
  3. Nichli Nyat (Lower Panchayat) : Its member is called ‘Garasia’.
• Sacred Place : Nakki Lake (Mount Abu, Sirohi)
• People of this tribe immerse the ashes in Nakki Lake.
• Sacred animals and birds : White animal and peacock
• Chief : Sahlot/Palvi
• Cooperative society : Helaru
• Monument (Chhataree) : Hoore
• Veranda : Osra
• Grain storage : Sohari
• Fairs :-
  1. Koteshwar fair : Ambaji (Gujarat)
  2. Cheter Vichitar fair : Delvada (Sirohi)
  3. Gangaur fair : Siyawa (Sirohi)- Love marriages are more common in this fair.
• Types of marriage :-
  1. Morbandhiya : Normal marriage
  2. Tanana
  3. Pahravana : Bringing the bride by giving clothes
  4. Melbo/Melbare : Sending to in-laws house without giving anything
  5. Khevno (mother) : Mother also goes with her.
  6. Service
• Bhil Garasia : If a Garasia man marries a Bhil woman, then such a family is called Bhil Garasia.
• Gameti Garasia : If a Garasia woman marries a Bhil man, then such family is called Gameti Garasia.

4. Kanjar Tribe

• The word Kanjar is derived from ‘Kananchar’ which means ‘one who lives in the forest’
• Main area : Hadoti
• Main occupation : Committing crime
• The people of this tribe take blessings from the gods before committing a crime, which is called ‘Paati Mangna’.
• Dance : Chakri, Dhakad
• Main deities :-
  1. Kul Devi : Joganiya Mata (Temple- Chittorgarh)
  2. Chauth Mata (Temple- Chauth Ka Barwara, Sawai Madhopur)
  3. Raktadanji Mata (Temple- Santoor, Bundi)
  4. Hanuman Ji
• In this tribe, it is mandatory to have a window at the back of the house.
• After drinking the cup of Hakam Raja, the people of this tribe do not lie.
• The people of this tribe eat peacock meat.
• Chief : Patel
• In this tribe, after the death of a person, drops of liquor are poured in his mouth and his dead body is buried.

5. Kathodi Tribe

• This is basically a tribe of Maharashtra.
• The people of this tribe get catechu from Khair tree, hence they are called ‘Kathodi’.
• Main area : Udaipur
• This is an endangered tribe. (40 families)
• In this tribe-
  • They do not drink milk.
  • They drink more alcohol.
  • Women also sit with men and drink alcohol.
  • They eat monkey meat.
  • Women do not wear jewelry.
  • Women get tattoos done.
• Hut : Kholra
• Chief : Nayak
• Main deities :-
  1. Dungar Dev
  2. Gaam Dev
  3. Vadya Dev
  4. Bhari Mata
  5. Kansari Mata
• In MNREGA scheme, Rajasthan government gives 100 days of additional employment to the people of this tribe.

6. Damor tribe

• Main area : Simalwada Panchayat Samiti (Dungarpur)
• Simalwada Panchayat Samiti area of ​​Dungarpur is called ‘Damaria’.
• In this tribe-
  • Men also wear ornaments like women.
  • Men practice polygamy.
  • People are not dependent on forests, but do agriculture and animal husbandry.
• Gujarati influence is visible on their language.
• Dapa : Bride price given during marriage
• Chadia : Programs held on Holi
• Mukhiya : Mukhi
• Fairs :-
  • Chhaila Bavji Ka Mela (Panchmahal, Gujarat)
  • Gyaras Ki Rewadi Ka Mela (Dungarpur)

7. Sansi tribe

• Main area : Bharatpur and Ajmer
• There are mainly two classes in this tribe. Like-
  1. Bija
  2. Mala
• After taking oath of Bhakhar Bavji, people of this tribe do not lie, and while taking oath, they keep an axe in one hand and a peepal leaf in the other hand.
• People of this tribe worship Sikodari Mata.
• Widow Marriage : No
• Kukdi : A ritual of women during marriage

8. Sahariya Tribe

• Main Area : Kishanganj and Shahbad Tehsils of Baran District
• The word Sahariya is derived from ‘Sahar’ which means- ‘forest’
• This is the only primitive tribe of Rajasthan.
• Three-tier Panchayat System:-
  1. Panchatai (Panchayat of 5 villages)
  2. Ekadasi (Panchayat of 11 villages)
  3. Chaurasi (Panchayat of all Sahariyas/84 villages) : This takes place in Valmiki Temple (Sitabari, Baran).
• Adi Purush : Valmiki Ji
• Kul Devi : Kodiya Mata
• In this tribe-
  1. People also worship Tejaji and Bhaironji.
  2. People sing songs called Alha and Langhi in rainy season and Heed on Diwali.
  3. People play Lathmar Holi on the festival of Holi.
  4. People play Langhi with wooden sticks on Makar Sankranti.
  5. Women get tattoos done, but men cannot get them done.
  6. Women wear veil in the house, but do not wear veil outside the house.
• Chief : Kotwal
• Village : Sahrol
• ​Township/Colony : Sahrana
• Community Center : Bangla/Hathai/Dhaliya
• Houses built on trees : Gopna/Topa/Korua
• Dowry system : No
• Couple dance : No
• Shraddh : No
• ‘Dhari Sanskar’ is performed in this tribe.
• Under the MNREGA scheme, the Rajasthan government provides 100 days of additional employment to the people of the Saharia tribe.