India’s Great Migration

‘The Rabari’ are nomadic shepherds who primarily live in Northwest India. They consider their cattle as true assets and the occupation of animal keeping to them is sacred. In Rajasthan, the tribe is largely settled around the village of Jojawar – about 150 kms away from Udaipur.

While families with smaller cattle herds continue to remain in the village, those with large ones migrate for several months, along with the herd – to avoid harsh weather of the desert; and provide enough fodder & water to the animals. We followed a Rabari group here, that commenced it’s annual herd migration (on foot) from Jojawar to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, which is 500 kms away. This journey takes them 5 to 6 months. Walking through the Aravalli range, they take shelter in farmlands along the way – where farm waste acts as free fodder for the cattle, and in return they give manure (cattle dung) and milk to farm owners. The last stop at Ujjain has ‘Cattle fairs’ or ‘Melas’ where cattle is traded, proceeds of which is used to buy silver and gold ornaments – which they proudly adorn themselves with.

The return journey starts post the Mela, and in a few months they are back to their village, just in time to start preparing for the next annual migration! Through their journeys, the tribe carries minimal gear – light foldable charpai (cots), utensils to cook – rotis, dry curry & tea, some tents, ropes to create temporary animal pens and their colorful clothes! Fuel-wood collected from farms is used for cooking, ashes of which is then used for cleaning. The Rabari have truly created a sustainable ecosystem for themselves.

Here’s a compilation of pictures that I captured of this vibrant tribe, in October 2021. A treasure indeed, as next-gen Rabari are quickly adopting modern lifestyles.

(Drone capture by Khurram Hussain)

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