The image above captures the glorious freedom of spirit and strong
sense of identity that is associated with the nomadic “Banjaras”. The
nomadic tribes originate from the desert sands of Rajasthan and Gujarat
from where a group journeyed through to the Northern part of Karnataka
in Southern India. The tribe is known as the Lambanis.
sThe heavy, layered style of jewellery, the chunky pieces
complimented with delicate dangling chains and bells, the borders
framing theirs attire meticulously embroidered in square and round
mirror-work, the colourful continuum of patchwork, into which are sewn
in conch-shells and finally the stunning array of silver coins accenting
the edges…these are merely the few ornaments adorning the braided hair
and covered head!
There are delicate nose-pins or nose-rings, chokers in beads or
silver, longer neck-pieces with pendants, bracelets commencing on the
wrists that then are layered right up to the armpits, amulets, anklets
and the usual rings et al.
The skirts are always in brilliant colours, flowing, layered and
swirling around the ankles in consonance with the majestic gait that is
the hallmark of these striking handsome women. The cholis or blouses are
each, individual, works of art. The centre piece for the yolk is
traditionally rectangular with larger and small mirror and patterns
created in patchwork and the sleeves are perfectly symmetrical and
compliment the structure and form of the yolk. The back is open and
pulled close using tie-back with tassels at the ends. This allows for
the blouse to fit over the course of a woman’s lifetime! Its
comfortable, convenient and gorgeous. They don’t dress, to follow or
create fashions. They dress to express and be who they are. Banjaras.
There is often supreme irony in the role perception plays in social
commentary. The nomadic tribes are the timeless travellers and
journeymen. In my view, they anticipated and as part of their view of a
natural order, lived the life globalization has over the last decades
triggered in countries across the world. We’ve witnessed unprecedented
migrations of people from rural to urban, as globalization, powered by
the internet and open markets, created opportunities for
skills-development and employment.
The Banjaras, have for centuries, travelled from one place to
another, displaying their unique crafts, their products with an innate
entrepreneurial streak and a natural ease of doing business. Their women
have sung the songs of creation and sewn together patches of clashing
colours, different textures and then embroidered patterns that reveal
the glory of Nature. Their mystical tattoos symbolize their unique
interpretation of an eternal order. These are never random or devoid of
meaning. On the contrary, each is always perfectly uniform in content
and form and consistent, in keeping with the origins of the tribe and
the individuals place in the universe which is never constant but always
dynamic and evolving. To one tattoo is added another as the person
experiences the next milestone. Every piece of ornament, every piece of
garment and every tattoo is in harmony with the individuals roots and
place in the world.
If we took a hard and honest look at the nomadic tribes, we would
discover that they were indeed the first expressions of what was to
follow as an emerging global world-view. They did not choose to champion
this change nor is there any evidence of their attempting to influence
existing social orders, as they walked besides the established status
quo, at their own pace, following their own rituals and traditions,
inhabiting an alternate and parallel way of life. In truth, the were
never considered for any permanent membership in any social context nor
expected to participate integrally in any fashion. Their lot and their
choice remained, in perpetuity, at the periphery.
The Banjaras have remained rooted in the most holistic meaning of the
word even as they travelled from place to place. We, the other part of
humanity, that formulated written and spoken language and attributed
meaning to words that came from our singular reference-points, have
referred to their state of being, as nomadic or “rootless”. As though
being rooted was a physical state of being!
As migrations increase and cities expand into bordering villages and
the lines become more blurred, there are growing concerns of traditions
being eroded, cultures being diluted, indigenous populations being
overwhelmed by the influx of “outsiders” or migrants and the migrants
themselves, dealing with the angst of “loss of identity”.
A few moments of gazing into this photograph would help draw
attention to the reality that in a transient, impermanent lifetime, the
Banjaras and Nomads, exemplify what being “rooted” should be. To be free
to roam freely, to journey through life working to earn an honest
living, to engage with all peoples equally, to belong everywhere and no
where, to carry one’s rooted and identity within oneself and wear it on
one’s person with abandon, these are life’s best lessons and there are
no schools and universities where these can be learnt.
The Nomads are perhaps the finest icons of lives well-lived. Free yet rooted.
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