'Rabaris' The Black ones- The Lost Art

Fully adorned Rabari Child 20 years ago.

The black ones, the rabaris were not black ones from the begining. Infact, 20 years back they were the most decorated tribe. Rabaris used to adorn themselves in fully embroidered clothing, heavy jewellry and accessories. From men to women to children it was a festive decoration everyday. Embroidery was something to be proud about, something to show off and that is what made them distinctive.

After the lapse, it all changed the scenario of the tribe and there was a drastic change in the lifestyle of the Rabaris as their beautiful embroidery became a burden on them.

according to their old tradtion, heavily embrodered clothes and accercories were suppose to be given during marriages as dowry to the groom's family, and the bride could not go to the grooms house if dowry was not complete. therefore, the bride even after getting married at the age of 14-16 used to stay at her parents house and wait till the age of 35-40 for dowry to complete. this tradition led to lose of fertily amonst girls followed by falling numbers of children born.

In order to cure this problem, the Rabari community came to the conclusion of banning the embroidery and heavy jewellery altogether. Nobody now, could either wear or create any embroidered art work. Rabaris stopped adorning themselves. the beautiful being of the beautiful tribe got lost.

After 20 years of the lapse, the women have again revived the art and have started doing embroidery only for economical reasons but still they cannot wear it off and take pride in it. They are educating their children to spread awareness about the lost art. The children still don't tend to learn the embroidery techniques as it is not of their interest and as it had never been a part of their lives.  

Bonding between children living in the current scenario.

Only embroidered piece of patch put on children's clothing now.  

Rabari men adorned while his marriage function.