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The Adivasis of Rajasthan
Bhils
The Bhils traditionally inhabited the south eastern corner of the state - the area around Udaipur, Chittorgarh and Dungarpur - although the largest concentrations of Bhils are found in Madhya Pradesh.
Legend has it that the Bhils were fine archers. "Bhil" bowmen are mentioned in both the "Mahabharata" and the "Ramayana". They were highly regarded warrior, and the Rajput rulers relied heavily on them to thwart the invading Marathas and Mughals.
Although originally food gatherers, the Bhils these days have taken up small-scale agriculture, or have abandoned the land altogether and taken up city residence and employment. The literacy rate of the
Bhils, particularly amongst the womenfolk, used to be the lowest among tribals in India and made them the prime targets for exploitation and bonded labour. This trend is now being reversed, and the fortunes of the Bhils are improving accordingly. Several Bhils have entered state parliament, becoming MLAs, including, in one instance, a Bhil woman.
Those "Bhils" who can afford it engage in polygamy. Love marriages as opposed to arranged marriages which is the norm in India, are condoned.
The Baneshwar Fair is a Bhil festival held near Dungarpur in January/February each year, and large numbers of "Bhils" gather for several days to sing, dance and worship. Holi is another important festival for the Bhils. Witchcraft, magic and superstition are part of
Bhil culture.
The Minas
The "Minas" are the second largest adivasi group in the state after the "Bhils". They live in the regions of Shekhawati and eastern Rajasthan. The name "Mina" is derived from "Meen", or fish, and the "Minas" claim descent from the fish incarnation of Vishnu. Originally they were a ruling tribe, but their downfall was a long, drawn-out affair. It began with the Rajputs and was completed when the British government declared them a criminal tribe in 1924, mainly to stop them trying to regain their territory from the Rajputs. In their skirmishes with the Rajputs, the "Minas" resorted to various unorthodox means such as demanding 'protection money' from villagers to curtail their dacoit activities. Following Independence, their ignominious status as a 'criminal tribe' was lifted. However, their culture was by this time more or less totally destroyed, and they have been given protection as a Scheduled Tribe. With the withdrawal of the Criminal Tribes Act, the "Minas" took to agriculture. As is the case with the "Bhils", the literacy rate among the "Minas" was very low, but is improving. Marriage is generally within the tribe and is arranged by the parents and most marriages take place when the children are quite young.
The Gaduliya Lohars
The "Gaduliya Lohars" were originally marital Rajput adivasis, but now they are nomadic blacksmiths. Their traditional territory was Mewar (Udaipur) and they fought with the
Maharana against the Mughals. With typical Rajput chivalry, they made a vow to the maharana that they would only enter his fort at Chittorgarh after he had overcome the Mughals. As he died without achieving this, the clan was forced to become nomadic. When Nehru was in power he led a group of "Gaduliya Lohars" into Chittorgarh, with the hope that they would then resettle in their former lands, but they preferred to remain nomadic.
The Garasias
The "Garasias" are a small Rajput adivasi group found in the Abu Road area of Southern Rajasthan. It is understood that they intermingled with the "Bhils" to some extent, which is supported by the fact that bows and arrows are widely used. The marriage ceremony is curious in that, that the couple elope, and a sum of money is paid to the father of the bride. If the marriage fails, the bride returns home, with a small sum of money to give to the father. Widows are not entitled to share their husband's property, and so generally remarry.
The Sahariyas
The "Sahariyas" are thought to be of "Bhil" origin, and live in the areas of Kota, Dungarpur and Sawai Madhopur in the south-east of the state. They are one of the least educated of the adivasi groups in the country, with a literacy rate of only 5 percent and, as unskilled labourers, have been cruelly exploited. As all members of the clan are considered to be related, marriages are arranged beyond the tribe. Their food and worship traditions are closely related to Hindu customs.
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