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'''Maldharis''' are a [[adivasi|tribal]] [[herder|herdsmen]] community in [[Gujarat]], [[India]]. Originally nomads, they came to be known as Maldharis after settling in [[Junagadh district]] (mainly [[Gir Forest]]).<ref name="Sudipta">{{cite book |author=Sudipta Mitra |title=Gir Forest and the Saga of the Asiatic Lion |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J0rME6RjC1sC&pg=PA65 |year=2005 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-183-2 |pages=65-69 }}</ref>

"Maldhari" is an occupational term which refers to people from a variety of castes and communities.<ref name="Sushant_2013"/> The literal meaning of ''Maldhari'' is keeper (''dhari'') of the animal stock (''mal'').<ref name="Sudipta"/> They are notable as the traditional dairymen of the region, and once supplied [[milk]] and [[cheese]] to the palaces of [[raja]]s.<ref name="MB" />

== Etymology ==

The word "Maldhari" can be loosely translated into English as "herdsman". derives from the Gujarati language words ''maal'' (animal stock) and ''dhari'' (owner/keeper). Hence, the one who owns animals, breeds them and/or herds them is called Maldhari.{{cn|date=July 2019}}

==Culture==
Maldharis are descendants of nomads who periodically came from [[Pakistan]], [[Rajasthan]] and other parts of [[Gujarat]], and finally settled in the [[Banni Grasslands Reserve|Banni grasslands]].<ref name="KD">P
{{citation
|url=http://www.narmada.org/ALTERNATIVES/banni/alt-banni.html
|title=Banni Grasslands; Kutch Dist., Gujarat
|work= Alternatives to the Narmada Valley Project
|publisher=Friends of River Narmada
|accessdate=2012-02-23
}}</ref> Their major communities include [[Sindhi people|Sindhi]] [[Sunni Islam in India|Sunni Muslims]] and Vadhas.<ref name="KD"/>

These semi-[[nomadic]] herders spend eight months of the year criss-crossing sparse pasturelands with their [[livestock]] including [[sheep]], [[goat]]s, [[cow]]s, buffalo, and [[camel]]s in a continual quest for [[fodder]]. During the [[monsoon]] season, the Maldhari generally return to their home villages as more new grass grows closer to home during the rains. For villages in some areas, weddings are traditionally held just one day each year, on [[Krishna Janmashtami]] (Lord Krishna’s birthday), which falls in the midst of the monsoon.

Some girls in some regions are kept from going to school and expected to spend the early years of their life stitching elaborate garments for their wedding day, or, if they have been married off as children, as many are, for the ceremony performed when each moves in with her husband, normally when she is in her early twenties.<ref name="MB">
{{citation
|url=http://handeyemagazine.com/node/70
|title= The Maldhari of Gujarat
|author= Michael Benanav
|work=Handeye
|publisher=
|date=2009-06-04
|accessdate=2012-02-23
}}</ref>

==Communities==

In different regions, the Maldharis belong to different [[castes]]. The [[Gir Forest National Park]] is home to around 8,400 Maldharis as of 2007.<ref name="R">{{citation |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-forests-idUSDEL25463820070102 |title= Rights gained by the Maldhari tribe over the Gir forest |author=Rupam Jain Nair |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=2007-01-21 |accessdate=2012-02-23 }}</ref> The majority of the Maldharis in Gir belong to [[Charan]], [[Bharwad]] and [[Rabari]] castes. Minority castes include [[Koli people|Koli]], [[Kathi Darbar|Kathi]], Bawa, [[Meghwal]] and [[Makrani caste|Makranis]]. The Maldharis of Gir, Alech and [[Barda Wildlife Sanctuary|Barda]] have included among the [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Tribes]] since 1956, although these castes are not classified as Scheduled Tribes outside the forest areas.<ref name="Sushant_2013">{{cite book |author=Sukant K. Chaudhury |title=Readings in Indian Sociology |volume=VII: Sociology of Environment |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i1YlDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT155 |year=2013 |publisher=SAGE |isbn=978-81-321-1841-1 |page=155 }}</ref>

==Lifestyle==
The [[pastoral]] Maldhari community live a simple life. They live in small mud houses deep in the forests, with no electricity, running water, schools or access to healthcare.

They earn a living by producing [[milk]] from their cattle. They have developed a local breed of [[Water Buffalo#Asia|buffalo]] that is well known in India for its high productivity and strong resilience to the harsh conditions of the Banni.{{cn|date=May 2019}} The [[List of water buffalo breeds|Banni Buffalo]] was recognized as the 11th breed of buffalo in the country in 2010, the first one to be registered post independence. The breed registration process was carried out through the Maldharis themselves.

They grow vegetables and collect wild [[honey]]. Their main sources of cash income are sale of high quality [[ghee]], [[milk]], [[wool]], [[animals]] and [[handicraft]]s.<ref name="KD"/> They trade their produce in the local market for essential items like food grains. Most are unable to count or use money and are [[illiterate]].<ref name="R"/>

==Jewelry==
Their jewelry and clothing portray the Maldharis' sense of identity and tradition. It symbolizes their beliefs and ideals. Men wear gold hoops and buttons in their ears. On their milking hands, many wear silver rings embossed with the [[Siva lingam]]. The milk that dribbles over the ring is an offering to the god, replacing the need to make oblations at a temple.

Maldhari women's ears are folded and stretched with a large amount of hanging silver. Their wrists are sheathed in heavy, hourglass-shaped bracelets, carved from elephant tusks. However, many wear plastic replicas for everyday use. They keep the more precious ivory originals stored in cans filled with vegetable oil. The oil keeps them from cracking and makes them easier to slip on. Such ornamentation disguises the poverty in which they live. It is worn as a status symbol to impart an impression of wealth upon which their family honor depends.<ref name="MB"/>

==See also==
*[[Dhangar]] zapda

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161025055558/http://mbenanav.photoshelter.com/gallery/More-Maldhari-Photos/G0000zK0Nr012uiY 27 Photographs] Maldhari people

[[Category:Maldhari communities|*]]
[[Category:Indigenous peoples of South Asia]]
[[Category:Social groups of India]]
[[Category:Modern nomads]]

Maldhari - Revision history

imported>GreenC bot at 14:34, 5 July 2021