Charan Man, Kutch
Kutch is a large district in North-West Gujarat, with a population of only 2 million. It is inhabited by a variety of ethnic groups who have managed to preserve their traditions. Charans are a caste living in Rajasthan and Gujarat, whose members are considered to be divine by a large section of society. A Charan will consider all the other Charans as equal even if they do not know each other and have radically different economic or geographic status. The Charans used to practise a form of self-immolation, known as tragu. It was believed that anyone who shed the blood of a Charan would meet with ruin. Their food and drinking habits resemble those of the Rajputs. Charans used to enjoy consumption of opium and drinking liquor. Charans do not eat the flesh of cows and hold those who do in utter disregard. Cows are respected like mothers. A husband and wife will not drink milk from the same cow, or milk soiled by their counterpart. Nowadays however, Charans do not encourage drinking of opium or liquor as a social value. On the contrary, vegetarianism has become a highly valued lifestyle.
Size: 4572px × 6850px
Location: Kutch, Gujarat, India
Photo credit: © François-Olivier Dommergues / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: asia, charan, cultural, culture, gujarat, gujurati, hindu, hinduism, india, kachchh, kutch, kutchi, man, men, peninsula, portrait, raan, remote, state, traditional, traditions, tribal, tribe
