Social Life III: Tribes & Customs
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1. Rajasthan's Major Tribes (Population Order)
| Rank | Tribe | % of ST Population | Primary Districts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Meena | ~50% | Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Alwar, Dausa |
| 2nd | Bhil | 44.38% | Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur |
| 3rd | Garasia | 2.84% | Sirohi, Pali (Abu Road, Bali) |
| 4th | Sahariya | PVTG | Baran (Shahabad, Kishanganj) |
2. Tribe-Specific Key Facts
тАв Meena: Derive name from 'Matsya' (Fish). Village head: Patel. Home: Tapra. Divorce custom: Cheda Phodna. тАв Bhil: Name from Dravidian 'Bil' (Bow). Village head: Gameti. Large village: Paal. Small unit: Fala. War cry: Fayre-Fayre. тАв Garasia: Claim Rajput ancestry ('Garas' = land). Women participate in 'elopement marriage' at Gaur Fair. Unique women's rights culture. тАв Sahariya: Only tribe in Rajasthan classified as PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group). Found ONLY in Baran district (Shahabad & Kishanganj). Settlements called Saharana. тАв Rabari: Nomadic herders (camels, sheep). Women known for intricate embroidery. Social council: Nyat.
3. Key Tribal Customs
тАв Nata Pratha: Living together without formal marriage; practiced by Bhil, Meena, Garasia. Legally not recognized. тАв Mautana: Compensation demanded for unnatural death. Practiced by Bhil/Garasia. If refused, leads to Chadhotra (property destruction). тАв Gavri: 40-day dance-drama of Bhil tribe (Mewar region: Udaipur, Rajsamand). ONLY men perform. Key characters: Rai (Parvati) and Buriya (Bhasmasur).
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