The Rabari, also called the Rewari or Desai, are an indigenous tribal caste of nomadic cattle and camel herders and shepherds that live throughout northwest India, primarily in the states of Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan. Other Rabari groups also live in Pakistan, especially in the region of the Sindh Desert. The word "Rabari" translates as "outsiders", a fair description of their primary occupation and status within Indian society.
Moving mainly through the regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat, they go back to their village once a year and make their living by selling milk. Completely nomads in the past, they are now semi-nomads, moving from their village according to the seasons. Nowadays, many Rabari have abandoned the nomadic lifestyle for a modern life, settling down in the cities.
The exact origin of the Rabari people is unknown. It is most likely that they migrated to India from Iran via Afghanistan through Baluchistan around a thousand year ago, although this has been disputed by some experts, who propose a stronger relationship with the Rajputs of Rajasthan. The majority of Rabari, which include 133 recognised sub casts, follow the Hindu faith.
According to their creation myth they were created by Matadevi (Pavarti), the consort of Lord Shiva and great mother goddess of India. As one version of the story goes, she cleaned dust and sweat from Shiva as he meditated and moulded a camel from the dirt, while in another version, he creates the first camel for her as an amusement. However it kept running away, Parvati created the first Rabari to mind it. Keeping animals is therefore regarded as a near sacred occupation by the Rabari who see themselves as their herds' custodians rather than their owners.
While the men are on the move in search of grazing pastures for their livestock, the women and children remain in the villages. The Rabari women have a significant role in the economic sphere. They mainly look after the cattle, bring potable water and collect fuel for cooking. Women also have a significant role in religious sphere but do not have any role in the mechanism of social control. Embroidery is a vital, living and evolving expression of the crafted textile tradition of the Rabari people.
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