Tue that urbanization and globalization have secured its footing in most countries all over the world, parts of some countries still exits untouched by the modern technological improvements. These people continue living with their own set of ethnic and traditional values.
Most such tribes are happy, content, and doing what they do best. They have their own specialties, appearances, clothing, profession, and even languages. These are the real Travellers of India. Let’s have a look at their lifestyle, their way of thinking, their original place of residence, and how you can interact with them.
Gaddis:
Gaddis is the nomadic tribe of north India whose main profession is sheep rearing. They migrate according to the different seasons like summer and winter in India. During wintertime, they come down to the plains go back to the hills on the onset of summer to provide their sheep with green pastures for grazing.
Where to find them:
The best way to come across the Gaddi tribe, one of the real travellers of India, is to trek across Manali right up to Dharamshala. Summertime is the best for this since they can be seen grazing their sheep in the valleys of Kashmir and Himachal.
Must Read: Places to Visit in Kullu Manali
Todas:
The Todas are primarily known for their profession of herding buffaloes. They are even involved in animal sacrifices to ensure that they gain a strong footing in the after-life. The most shocking feature of this tribe is that they discourage the use of bridges. So, if one needs to cross a river, the only options are swimming or walking through it, depending on the depth of the water.
Where can you spot them?:
UNESCO recognised a settlement of a Toda tribe meant exclusively for them. You can interact with them there since the place is quite accessible from Ooty.
Rabaris:
Quite widespread in north India, mainly Rajasthan, the Rabaris are one of the most visually pleasing and highly photographed ethnic communities of India. The women of this tribe are not only good at craft and handiwork of beads and sequins, but are also amazingly talented at handling finances and business affairs.
Due to their inapparent practices of women empowerment that the world is currently struggling with, they rightfully deserve the title of the real travellers of India. The men mostly take care of the herding of camels, which happens to be their primary source of income.
Must Read: Places to Explore on a Holiday in Rajasthan
Where can you spot them?:
Pushkar fair on October conducted in Rajasthan attracts the Rabaris folks who head to the fair to sell their camels and gain a good return on their investment.
Monpas:
Originating and loving in Arunachal Pradesh, the Monpas are quite a loving and hospitable people. Their speciality is their bamboo craft which they use to create a wide variety of stuff. The striking and exclusive feature of the Monpas is that the women of this tribe live with their parents after marriage while it is the husband who moves to his in-law’s residence.
Where can you spot them?:
The Bomdila pass near Arunachal Pradesh is the hub of the Monpas residence, although they can be found in and around the Tawang district too. They are living proof of the fact that people from north-east India can also contribute as tribes to the real travellers of India.
Nats:
Being the popular Indian triable group of entertainment, the Nats are quite well-known in North India for putting up acts like puppet shows i.e. Kathputli, magic and disguise tricks i.e. Bahrupiya, singing and dancing, and fortune-telling. They continue keeping up their performance everywhere they go.
Where can you spot them?:
The Nats keep up their performance tours in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan all around the year. They can be seen performing their Kathputli shows and dances at cultural festivals in these places.
Gujjar Bakarwals:
The main profession of the Gujjar Bakarwals is trading and rearing of goats. In fact, they are even known for producing a fabric from the fur of Pashmina goats, which is also known as Pashmina. This fabric is quite popular in India and Pakistan.
Residing mostly in the regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kashmir, the Gujjar Bakarwals are still considered as one of the real travellers of India. They are quite widespread in the hilly areas of north India. The Indian Bakarwals migrate to down south to Jammu during winter and back again to the Kashmir valley on the onset of summer.
Where can you spot them?:
The Liddar Valley in Pahalgam is littered with the Gujjar Bakarwals especially during summer. Head to the valley during this period to find them in their own habitat and have a look at this mesmerizing part of the Indian tribal culture.
Conclusion:
The above-mentioned tribes and their professions and specialities are now being gradually replaced with modernisation. As citizens of India, it is the duty of every person to play a part in keeping their traditional values intact and promote them further, especially with regards to the real travellers of India. This will not just diminish their chances of being wiped out from India, but will also give them the due recognition they deserve in the long run.