BANJARAS

Banjara tribe is a well known migratory or nomadic tribe of India. Unlike other nomadic tribes who are localised in pockets of some states such as Jenukurubas in Heggadevankote of Mysuru and some parts of Madikeri districts or Hakki-Pikki people in Dakshina Kannada districts of Karnataka. Banjaras are found in almost all states of India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to West Bengal. Also compared to other groups, Banjaras are tall with fair complexion, have acquine nose, and classical other nomadic features. They live in settlements called thandas which are situated either in valleys and forests or near hills.

They were engaged in transport and supply of salt, food grains, spices and other essential commodities on thousands of pack-bullocks from ages called ladenia or caravans. They owned large hordes of cattle and bullocks. They were also engaged in business of carrying and supply of food grains and weapons and ammunition to the invading armies and in peace times to the nearby markets. There is a reference in Bombay Gazette that in the year 1386-1407 Durga Devi, a Banjara women who was having one lakh bullocks and cattles, used to bring food grains from Nepal, Burma and China and supplied food grains to Indian people. Similarly it is stated that one Lakisha Banjara had 1 lakh cattles and Bhangi Bhukia had 1,80,000 cattles and Jangi Bhukia had 40,000 cattles. It is also stated that one Durai Raj of Banjara was a rich business man who was dealing in gold, silver and other metal products and transporting to foreign countries by boats and ships through Mangaluru Port in Karnataka. Banjara community is also knows for their colourful and gorgeous costumes and their ornaments. They stitch their clothes themselves and using different colours of threads and embroidery. They mostly used coloured clothes, red or green and prepared using different embroidery. One has to see to believe how simple women prepare their dress using different types of Embroidered patterns. By their appearance, particularly colourful and gorgeous dress of their women folk, they can easily be recognised as Banjaras in any corner of India. While stating the greatness of this community, the late Prime Minister of India, Smt Indira Gandhi said that the weavers weave the cloth in golden threads here and there. This adds to the beauty. Similarly, the lamanis (Banjaras) are like the golden threads in the rich cultural heritage. Though they live in various states of India, their dress, traditions, culture, their dialect called Gor-boli, their songs and dances are alike. They also wear different types of ornaments such as ivory or plastic

bangles, metal ornaments of different types which are not found among other tribes.

Similarly, although they live in different states, the dialects or the langauage known as Gor-boli is one and the same even one has been settled in Northern or Southern parts of India. This Gor-boli (Gor means Banjaras, boli means speech) is one of the major tribal dialects spoken by about 6 crore Banjaras. In pronouncement, accent and usage, Gor-boli is very much akin to a number of north Indian languages like Hindi, Gujarati, Rajasthani etc. Gor-boli has no script of its own.

Banjaras have rich cultural traditions. Folklores, art, music and dance are very rich and beautiful in Banjara marriages. Their custom of welcoming groom, different ceremonies such as farewell to bride, Haveli and Dhavlo songs are rich and colourful.

Banjaras are worshippers of Nature as they are in constant touch of nature. They worship the sun, moon, stars, earth, sky, rivers etc. In addition they pray and worship Balaji, Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, Durga Kali and other Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Banjaras are known by different names like Banjara, Banjari, Lamanis, Lambanis, Lambada, Sugali, Gor, Goria, Gwaria, Gormati and many other names(Refer chart 1). These are based on their profession and also varies from province to province depending on the different languages etc. Likewise main name Banjara is pronounced by Banjara in Rajasthan, Banjar in Urdu, Banjari or Brinjari in Marathi, Vanjara in Gujarat. Likewise vanjara are called as vanjari, Vanjhara, Singhad vanjari. The word Banjara comes from the Sanskrit word Vanaj/Banaj(merchant) . Some say the word Banjara comes from Vana/Bana/Van meaning forest and chara meaning movers/ wanderers. Lamani word is derived from lavan (salt) hence Laman, Lamani, Lambani, Lambada in Telugu. Sugali (telugu) (keeper of good cows). The word Gor, Goria, Gormati means white fair complexion. Guaria (gua means cow,ar means rakshak) in Marathi. In Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh they known as Sikri Band, Sikri wala as they live in tatches from Sirki(grass). They are also called Baladia because they own thousands of bullocks ( Balad means bullocks, Ladenia because they used to do the trade on caravans known as Ladeni)

The list of Synonyms of Banjaras: