Gypsies of India

Gypsies of India

Gypsies.If you think about the word in your head and close your eyes you'll probably see a picture of a caravan or may be an old women with a crystal ball or something.But thats not entirely true let us look at the actual defination of a gypsy.
A member of a people that arrived in Europe in migrations from northern India around the 14th century, now also living in North America and Australia. Many Gypsy groups have preserved elements of their traditional culture, including an itinerant existence and the Romany language.


.::. Banjara .::.

The Banjara (also called Lambadi or Lanbani) are a nomadic tribe in India. They are directly linked to the romany gypsies of eastern europe. It is believed that these gypsies migrated to Europe seveal centuries ago.
**Read**
1 > Romany Gypsies came out of India
2 > The Roma and the Persistence of Memory
3 > Gypsies Came From India (Varman.org)
The colourful stream of the Banjaras began to travel down to the South in the 14th century. In the early 1800s, following the invasion by the armies of Aurangzeb, and thanks to the number of cattle they owned, the Banjaras worked for the Moghuls as commissariat carriers transporting provisions and arms, setting up camps on the outskirts of army encampments. When the Southern campaigns ended, the Banjaras forgot their desert homes in Rajasthan and settled down in the Deccan, the plateau of central peninsular India.


The women in the picture are construction workers.They work as labourers and they actually work in full traditional attire with all there ornate jewellary.
The Banjara women, however, are holding steadfast to their ancient mode of dress which is perhaps the most colorful and elaborate of any tribal group in India. Undoubtedly, their dress and jewelry sets them apart from all others. Their full length skirt, is blazing red with borders embroidered in mustard and green thread. The odhni (mantle) which covers the head is long enough to drape down their backs almost touching the feet. This also elaborately embroidered and studded with little mirrors which embellish their cholis (blouses). A variety of materials - silver, brass, some gold, cowries, ivory, animal bone and even plastic - are used in the making of a Banjara wardrobe. The women wear pretty silver anklets which clink as they walk barefoot. Long silver earrings are conspicuous, and patterned cowrie shells decorate their hair, and are worn on their wrists and ankles. Posted by Hello




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3 comments:

Claude Renault said...

very interesting artyicle about the gypsies

boi said...

Hey !! this is indeed a short n sweet research work... Good luck !!

words to feel said...

hey..thanks for putting up an article on gypsies. i'm a student of fashion design, and i am planning to do my final collection on ''gypsies''.. this has certainly added to my research and information.