Page 437 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

GUJAR A T  435

People
The pastoral communities of
Kutch include Jaths, Ahirs,
Meghwals, Bharwads and Sodhas,
as well as Rabaris. While the men
wander with their flocks, the
women, children and elders stay
at home, adding to the family
income with their crafts skills.

Rabari girls wear
the family’s
finest heirlooms.
Rabari women dress in Rabari men, in contrast to the They begin
black wool, dramatically women, wear only white, with embroidering
offset with silver jewellery. fine embroidery at the back of their trousseau
They also sport tattoos of their pleated kediyans (jackets). dresses as soon as
peacocks and camels, as White-and-red woven shawls they can hold
well as small crosses to and voluminous turbans a needle.
keep away the evil eye. complete their attire.
Craft
For the rural people of Kutch, craft is not just
a means of earning and employment. It is
also a proud and creative expression of each
community’s distinct culture and identity, through
which utilitarian objects such as cupboards, quilts,
shoes, cowbells or clay dishes are transformed Embroidery is done by most semi-nomadic
into art forms. communities. This section of a large wall
hanging shows the work of a Rabari woman.
Rogan, a speciality of
Niruna village near Bhuj,
is a unique technique by
which cloth is decorated
with intricate, embossed
lacquer-work patterns.

Pottery dishes such as this large
platter are used at village feasts.
They are made by the men of the
Leather objects are Kumbhar (potter) community.
made by Meghwal men.
They are embellished
with bright tassels
and embroidery.

Patchwork in vivid
colours, using scraps
and waste material,
is done by Bharwad Silverwork is crafted by the Sodha
women to make items community, who also make jewellery
such as quilts, awnings to order in traditional designs, for the
and camel saddle covers. other pastoral communities.

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