Sorathi Rabari woman & child

Rabari woman and child of the Sorathi subgroup found in and around the Gir Forest National Park Gujarat. W India.
The women have very ornate earrings and many of them also have ornate tatoos on their necks, chests and arms. Designs such as peacocks and other religious symbols are usually done during festivals when the tatoo artists come to town.
Locally these people are also known as Maldharis - which in their language means cattle herder.
Rabari were traditionally camel herders but now each subgroup works with an animal that is most feasible in the surrounding environment. This subgroup are generally cattle herders. (Rabari is a term used for tribal livestock herders). As they live in and around the Gir Forest which is the home of the endangered Asiatic lion they loose a lot of their cattle to the lions. They are compensated however. Each costume varies slightly according to subgroup. The Sorathi Rabari man wear the 'Chorani' pants which are tight-calved with gathered waists. They also wear the 'Kediyun' men's short jacket that is tightly gathered at armpit level. These together with the turbin are made from white cotton. They also substitute the turban for woolen caps. In many cases the men also wear large ornate earings made from either gold. These are worn through the cartledge of the middle of the ear. Jewellery is their wealth and they never take it off.

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Filename: IND4520 Rabari woman & child.jpg
Copyright: © Pete Oxford
Image Size: 5374x3569 / 11.0MB; Asiatic lion Baby Cattle herders Child Ethnic people Gir Forest National Park Gujarat India Jewellery Maldharis Mother People Rabari Sorathi Rabari Tatoos Tribal people Tuban Woman
Contained in galleries: Gujarat region

Rabari woman and child of the Sorathi subgroup found in and around the Gir Forest National Park Gujarat. W India. <br />
The women have very ornate earrings and many of them also have ornate tatoos on their necks, chests and arms. Designs such as peacocks and other religious symbols are usually done during festivals when the tatoo artists come to town.<br />
Locally these people are also known as Maldharis - which in their language means cattle herder.<br />
Rabari were traditionally camel herders but now each subgroup works with an animal that is most feasible in the surrounding environment. This subgroup are generally cattle herders. (Rabari is a term used for tribal livestock herders). As they live in and around the Gir Forest which is the home of the endangered Asiatic lion they loose a lot of their cattle to the lions. They are compensated however. Each costume varies slightly according to subgroup. The Sorathi Rabari man wear the 'Chorani' pants which are tight-calved with gathered waists. They also wear the 'Kediyun' men's short jacket that is tightly gathered at armpit level. These together with the turbin are made from white cotton. They also substitute the turban for woolen caps. In many cases the men also wear large ornate earings made from either gold. These are worn through the cartledge of the middle of the ear. Jewellery is their wealth and they never take it off.