Volume-02 ISSN: 2455-3085 (Online)

Issue-08 RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary

August-2017 www.rrjournals.com

Banjara (Lambada) Community in India: Some Issues

*Dr. Ramesh Naik .B
*
Department of Geography, Osmania University, Hyderabad (India)

ARTICLE DETAILS ABSTRACT

Article History The Banjaras of India have a great historical legacy. India is known for cultural
Received: 27 July 2017 diversity. It is also called as a pluralistic society. Scholars have called India as an
Accepted: 29 July 2017 ‘ethnological museum’. The country has several social groups which are governed by the
Published Online: 02August 2017 Varna system. The Indian social order is primarily responsible for the deprivation,
Keywords degradation and depression of a vast majority of indigenous people of India. The goals of
Banjara Community social democracy and economic democracy have not been actualized even after seventy
Origin years of national independence. The dominant powers continue to rule the roost by
Status abusing the caste power, muscle power, money power and political power. The
Issues and Challenges indigenous people have been excluded from the mainstream of national development
*
Corresponding Author despite several constitutional protections, provisions and privileges. The central and state
Email: [email protected]
governments have also formulated certain policies and implemented specific programmes
for the social and economic modernization, transition and development of the
marginalized sections of Indian society. These initiatives have not really benefited the
women and weaker sections of Indian society mainly due to lack of political will, social
concern and discriminatory tendencies of the ruling class. The Lambadi’s had led a gypsy
life in the past and primarily lived in the western Indian state of Maharashtra and
Andhra Pradesh. They belong to Scheduled Caste in Karnataka state and backward caste
in other states respectively. They are basically nomadic people from the Indian states of
Rajasthan, North West, Gujarat, Western Madhya Pradesh and Eastern Sindh province of
Pakistan. The aim of this topic is to study the Banjara (Lambada) community in India:
issues and challenges.

INTRODUCTION RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

India, a country with diversified cultural heritage, spread The paper is based on the secondary data sources.
widely with various cultures, traditions, castes based on their Secondary sources like various past field studies, reference
respective professions. Banjaras a tribe in India, meant for their books, research journals, census data and report were used.
efficient logistics is a shining beacon to the nation‟s culture and
are the best known for their migrating from one place to other Origin and Background:
in search of merchandise, with their Pack- Bullocks. They have
shown path to various empires from north to south and are The Indus river civilization was the world‟s oldest one and
meant to be the outstanding service providers to the kings in many nomadic tribes have once lived here. The Banjara tribe
showing path to them, as they themselves are the explorers of comes under the family of Indo-Aryan race speaking a
the places. Indian society is very carefully and dexterously language similar to that of Sanskrit and Hindi. The origin and
stratified on the basis of castes and sects. This carefulness and background of Banjara was not well known not preserved due
dexterity are used not only to divide the society into thousands to their nomadic nature and illiteracy. There are differences of
of sections but also to protect and preserve this system for ages, opinions among the historians of their original birth place, their
banning and barring mobility and interaction between castes. settlements within and outside India. Syed SirajUlHasan gives
Each caste has a caste lower than itself in hierarchy. Even the the account of the origin of Banjara, probably a story passed
most downtrodden and discriminated against section like on:
“untouchables” are divided sharply among themselves
according to their castes and practice untouchability against The Banjara claim to be descended from Mota and Mola,
one another. Subservience to one caste and subjugating another the two brothers who tended Sri Krishna‟s cows. From Mota
caste will put each caste‟s agenda, position and attitude in tact sprang the ancestors of the modern Marwaris, Mathura
by making it rigid in its hierarchical behaviour. Banjaras and Labhanas. Mola having no issue, once visited a
prince‟s court with his wife Radha, and there exhibited
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY gymnastic feats, in which he was an adept. The Prince was so
pleased with Mola‟s skill and so charmed with Radha‟s beauty
1. To study the origin and historical background of and grace, that he gave them, as reward, three infant boys
Banjaras in India. ofdifferent castes…. Their progeny have been collectively
2. To analysis Social Life of Banjara Community. known as Charan Banjaras.
3. To focus the significance of the Banjara culture,
Issues and Challenges in the present day scenario. The Banjara tribe was divided into five clans viz., 1)
Mathura, (2)Labhani, (3)Charan, (4) Dhadia; a fifth class
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Volume-02, Issue-08, August-2017 RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary

Dhalias or Banjari Mongs were added to each clan as Rajput ancestry from Rajasthan region. Though they have all
musicians, although their touch was considered as impure by tribal characteristics after classification of these DNTs they
other clans. Cumberlege points out that the Matura Banjara, were included under various caste categories and in Karnataka
who trace to Mathura in upper India are called Hindustani they came under SC category. This uprooted their tribal
Brahmans who wore sacred thread and do not eat meat but identity and displaced them from their forest rights.
learn Vedas like any other upper caste.
Banjaras, unlike any other people have a unique tradition of
HISTORICAL TRANSITION OF BANJARAS socio-cultural life, Thanda settlement, dress, language,
festivals, gods, customs and manners as independent of public
As per "Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics", Vol.-II, life. Dubois rightly pointed out that, “The Lambadis form a
Arthur-Bunyan, edited by James Hastings, the name 'Banjara' caste entirely distinct from the rest of Hindus being wholly
comes from Sanskrit Vanij, 'a merchant', Karaka, 'doing'. The different from them in religion, language, manners, and
tribes of wandering grain-carriers in India, As a result of their customs.” Mothiraj writes that Gorvamshiya (Banjara) had a
wandering habits, which have now much decreased since the unique culture, independent public life, unique tradition of
carrying trade has fallen into the hands of railway authorities, livelihood, and much evident in their lifestyle, food habits,
they are a very mixed race. It is found that their origin is festivals, rituals, worship, likes and dislikes, dances, songs,
probably Dravidian, but they now all trace their descent from languages, clothing and Thanda life. Nagarjuna Sagar in
the Brahman or Rajput tribes of Northern India. It is in the Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh is said to be the origin of
Deccan and in the State of Hyderabad that they still retain more Banjara dance and other cultural practices.
of their primitive beliefs and customs than in the scattered
colonies in the more northern parts of the country, where they Banjara Settlement/Thanda:
have largely fallen under Hindu or Muhammadan influence. In
the legends of the Deccan branch of the tribe, Guru Nanak, the The settlement of Banjara in camps outside the non-Banjara
founder of the Sikh faith, figures as a worker of miracles and as habitations was called Thanda/encampment. It was their
their spiritual advisor. exclusive characteristic to live in “Thanda” which they
acquired from the days of their nomadic life. In the modern
THE BANJARA COMMUNITY OF INDIA times though have settled still continued to live in Thandas.
The traditional house of Banjara looked very different from
Banjara is the biggest ethnic tribal group of India which is other non-Banjara house which is naturally built and easily
not a conventionally construed caste. They were basically the dissolvable. As they have been assimilated into the main stream
ethnic group which lived in forest areas (Banaj) and depended society government is providing permanent houses. The social
on trade (Vanijya) according to the Sanskrit terminology. The life settings of Banjara were still experienced and visible in
Banjaras are also known as Lamans / Lambara/ Labans/ present day. Some peculiarities of Banjara settlements are
Labhani/Lakhapati/ Lamanis/ Lavani / Laban/ LabhaniMuka/ given here.
Laman / Lemadi/ Lamadi/Lambadi/ Lamani/ Labhana/
Lumadale/ Brinjar/ Bripari/ Banjari/ Pindari/ Bangala/ Banjori/ Community Life:
Banjuri/ Brinjari/ dhadi/ Gormati / Goola/ Gurmarti/Mukeri/
Sugali/ Sukali/ Kora/ Sugali/ Sukali/ Tanda/ Vanjari/ Vanzara/ Banjara people live in “Thanda” keeping a distance from
Wanjari and Wanji. There are a number of historical evidences non-Banjara people. The community was held above the
and landmarks which prove that the Banjara community was individual interests and “Naik” (head of the community) led the
aboriginal and primitive tribes of Indian sub-continent. community both in matters of socio-political and religious life.
The kinship and clan or sub-clan relationship enhanced the
They are basically divided into two tribes namely – Maturia strong sense of communitarian life.
and Labana. The name Laman is popular long before the name
Banjara and the Laman Banjaras originally came from Banjara and Non-Banjara:
Afghanistan before settling in Rajasthan and other parts of
India. The survey of literature on Banjaras Community clearly The Banjara settlement was a sign that they did not mixed
indicates that ample literature has been produced by the with others. Banjara lived outside the villages in camps keeping
Western and Indian scholars. Yet the treatment of this problem the distance from other non-Banjara people. This helped them
is exponential. Issues like Semantics, Historicity, Location, to preserve their unique socio-cultural life, language, dress, the
Ethnicity, Categorization, Caste-clan Dichotomy and songs and religious life. However the introduction of
thecommunity‟s identity and inter face with different pre- modernism and rise of poverty among Banjaras forced them to
colonial, colonial and post-colonial political settings continued mingle with others.
to gravitate the attention for penetrative insights. The Banjaras
of India have a great historical legacy. They share common Place of Women:
anthropological characteristics and historical features with the
Romani Gypsies of the Eastern Europe and middles east Banjara women were not strictly subordinated to men and
countries. The Romani Gypsies, Lambanis and Banjara‟s at the same time not fully free. Women were allowed to
history reveal the common fraternity. divorce, remarry, and also if unjustly deserted she will be given
half the portion of husbands property. Women also involved in
Social Life of Banjara Community: agriculture, animal husbandry, collection of firewood, cattle
breeding, and they contribute to the income of the family by
The unique community life, language, religious customs, making liquor. The women can participate in social, religious
festivals, and ceremonies marked the socio-cultural life of and political activities but only men have the voice and perform
Banjaras. Predominantly Banjara maintained a unique and the ritual ceremonies.
separate tribal identity. They claimed to have descended from

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Volume-02, Issue-08, August-2017 RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary

The Thandanasabwas male hierarchical and women were families live together in their own settlements at a distance
not allowed to head the Thanda. The property and succession in from the town or city. These settlements, as already mentioned
the family devolves upon the eldest son. In the modern times are recognized as Tandas. This geographical location in which
due to the influence of outside society, modern education and the community lives has become synonymous with Lambadas.
contact with outside world the role and place of women was At present the situation is slowly changing. Mainly after India
changing and women have been given a good place. becoming an independent nation. The then government started
off by giving special privileges and passing polices for the
Banjara Cultural life and Practices: betterment and future development of the scheduled tribes, in
which the Lambada tribe is one among them. The basic and
Banjara people have a unique cultural life and practices that much needed policy was reservation policy for the scheduled
differentiate them from others. The language, food, dress and tribes which have driven them to get jobs, education, loans for
ornaments, art and dance, body tattooing and ceremonies business by banks. This seems to have led the community to
formed the cultural world of Banjara people. The influx of give up their traditional homes (huts) and settle in well-
modern life style and growing contact with non-Banjara world constructed brick houses along with the main stream society.
had affected the Banjara cultural life.
With the Lambadas becoming more prone to the societal
Language: affairs and the globalization impact seem to have brought a
major change on the dress codes, which are greatly altered. In
The language of Banjara is known as “Gorboli” the present times, most of the Lambada women are found to be
“GormatiBoli or “Brinjari,” an independent dialect. The dialect draped in sarees. Men are found wearing shirts, trousers, jeans
spoken by Banjara/Roma Gypsy falls in the category of Indo- and T shirts. Lambadas are said to be having a rich traditional
Aryan language. Robert Caldwell writes that “the Lambadis, dress which is almost into non usage. A traditional recognition
the gypsies of peninsula,speak a dialect of Hindustani.” The of the community is vanishing.
dialect was spoken since the pre-Indus period in Gor provinces
of Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Sindh, Punjab, Gujarat, CONCLUSION
Kethewada, Harappa and Mahenjodaro. Banjaras can easily
understand the Hindi and Sanskrit language as about 90% Banjara were one of the ancient nomadic tribes of India
words resembled with „Gorboli‟. GorBoli was spoken within which possessed a peculiar habitation, history, culture,
the family and kin groups, and the regional/local languages religious and social practices, festivals, language, folk lore,
were used to communicate with others. dress, governing system, understanding of death, sin and
salvation. The Thana living helped Banjara people to preserve
Economic Life of Banjara Community: their traditional and cultural practices undefiled from outsiders.
At various point of times and due to various reasons Banjaras
Before the establishment of British colonialism in India, the had migrated to Europe through Asia Minor and Greece. The
economic life of Banjara had flourished through trade on British colonialism had uprooted them from their nomadic
packed bullocks. During colonial times as the new transport, trade, culture and social life by branding them as criminals.
market and circulation system were developed, free pass was Many tribal characteristics, cultural and social practices have
restricted and tax were laid on sale by the Banjara. As a result under gone tremendous change. Severe poverty among Banjara
the economic life of Banjara was put to death. Francis in this had forced them to migrate to the cities where they came in
regard writes: contact with modern culture, language, lifestyle, and living
system which impacted on their tribal life. At this juncture of
“They used to live by pack-bullock trade, and they still transition in early 1970s Christianity entered the Banjara
remember the names of some of the generals who employed community in Bagepalli. The next chapter has exclusively dealt
their forebears. When peace and the railways came and did with the advent of Christianity and its influences among the
away with these callings, they fell back for a time upon crime Banjara people.
as a livelihood, but they have now mostly taken to agriculture
and grazing.” India is an „ethnological museum‟. The Indian social order
is primarily responsible for the deprivation, degradation and
As their business diminished, they resorted to dacoities and depression of a vast majority of indigenous people of India.
cattle stealing. Majority Banjara live under severe poverty and The Lambadi‟s had led a gypsy life in the past and primarily
in the modern times a very few hold white collar jobs. Tanaji G lived in the western Indian state of Maharashtra and Andhra
Rathod who did a study on socio-economic life of Banjara in Pradesh. Banjara is the biggest ethnic tribal group of India
Karnataka says that due to illiteracy, alcoholism, crimes, which is not a conventionally construed caste.
anarchy, exclusion from outside world, rigidity, and ignorance
and lack awareness of situations Banjara were still under
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Volume-02, Issue-08, August-2017 RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary
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