Rabari Samaj :-
Rabaris are usually divided into four group, on the basis of geographical criteria: the Rabaris of Kutch, of Sourashtra, of north
Very unique dress code :
Rabaris too have an unwritten dress code that reveals the status and stature of a person. They have the code for everyday wear, ceremonial and wedding dresses. For instance, the blouse pleated at the breast sets a married woman apart from the single. The older women and widows wear plain black with no embroidery. The outer layer of the dress is a long woolen shawl. Un married women wear white while the married and the elderly wear brown or black. In the case of nubile or young married women, the shawl is adorned with miniscule deep red circular designs, made by the tie-and-dye method. The widow's shawl is plain black. In some regions, Rabari women may embellish their shawl with applique work or embroider the centre seam, add mirrors or ever do up the border.
Rabari Origin :
Meaning of Rabari word is correct. Rabari means outsiders. This is because of their occupation. Rabari's main business use to be raising cattle, Like camel, goat and cow. These cattle need lots of space for barns. They cannot live in a town and have room for their cattle. They started living on the outskirts of towns beyond for this necessity. They gave name to such community Dhani. Dhani means Basati (community). As it was out side the main community. So the name became Rabari for these people.
Another myth is very prevalent, that Rabari are the descendant of lord Shiva. Rabari are the remnant of Huns, who invaded
Now a days a very small percentage of Rabari are nomadic. (1-2%) Most of the grazing land is gone in
Lifestyle :
Traditionally they are camel herders, and were once a nomadic people. These days the Rabari can be said to be semi-nomadic. They live in small hamlets of round huts with mud walls and thatched roofs. The women manage the hamlets and are shrewd and intelligent. They sell wool and clarified butter to city merchants and manage all money matters. The women are strong, tall and well built. The Rabari men can often be seen roaming the countryside with their droves. They travel hundreds of miles on annual migration routes in search of new pastures to graze their animals.
The Rabari women are easily distinguished by their long, black headscarves, which fall loosely to the ground. They wear distinctive heavy brass
They are identified by different names in different regions of the country. Ahir, Maldhari Dhanwer, Gowda etc. The only commonality is the profession of cattle raising. They are living in different parts of
Andar, Ahiyaru , Ahir, Appugol, Maldhari / Bharwad / Rabari, Bharavadaru, Dhangar, Dhangad / Dhanwar / Dhanka /Dhangod, Doddi Gowda, Gadhariya, Gadaria, Gowda, Gaddi, Gadri, Gollavadu, Gounder, Halumatha, Heggades, Idyar, Khuruk, Kuda, Kuruba, Kuruba Gowda, Kurumba, Kurmar, Kurumbar, Kalavar, Kuruma, Kurumavaaru, Kurkhi, Kurupu, Naikers, Nikhers, Oraon, Pal / Pala, Palaru, Paalakyatriya, Poduvar, Yadavalu, [ Pashupalak, Rayka.
There are number of areas where Rabari community live, and majority of Rabari's live in all over in the states of India's Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhyapradesh and then now they are get involved and played important roles in the development of India by the developing their self in education, milk business etc.
Religious :
The Rabari are worshippers of Mata Devi, the great all-embracing goddess. Many of them serve as priests in Mata Devi temples throughout
One can also see :
Shree VALINATH AKHADA TARBH is also a part of rabari tamples. Rabari believes in 'GOGA MAHARAJ’ which is normally snakes and for rabaris it’s a kind of god we call them as GOGA MAHARAJ and this shows rabaris love towards the nature as well as animals.