Old man smoking bidi, an Indian cigarette made of tobacco leaves or beedi leaves. Thakkar tribe. Rural faces of India
The Thakars are tribals, and their abode is in Nagyachawadi in the village, Pathraj. Pathraj is 25 kilometers from Karjat or 90 kilometers from Pune Maharastra India Women in the village can be seen in their traditional garb, Lugde (robe) and the choli. Lugde is a cotton towel tied to their waist so as to leave their legs bare. The traditional houses are rectangular, with two-sloped roofs, thatched with grass, closed with bamboo matting walls and plastered with cowdung. They have no ventilation, except for one main door and a back door. Thakars have a special way of celebrating Diwali. On the first day of the Diwali the khot (head) of the village breaks a coconut in the name of the village God Chedoba as a gesture of respect. At home they boil chai sweet potato, and chauli (pulses) and the whole family eats it together as a special breakfast on Diwali.' This depicts the age old food-gathering tradition of the tribes. The grain, primary wealth of the tribe is stored in huge wicker baskets, called kangas, and placed at the door. These kangas are worshiped during Diwali. They also decorate their bulls and cows. Hay is lined on the ground up to a height of two to three feet and lit. The cattle are made to jump over it with the drum beating loudly in the background. After the ritual is completed, the cattle is let loose in the jungle, for about six months, till the next cultivation season begins. As the sun descends, the women of the house, light the tiwli (lamp). These Thakars consider the woman as the most important person of the house who brings glory to the house. The lamp is made from a fruit called chibra and it is placed on the stand made of cowdung. At night they worship their Guru Param Sadguru Maharaj at home. Thakars' Gauri dance adds color to the celebrations. The Gauri is performed only by the young boys. Women have their own dance which is performed by them only till Dassera. After Dassera they do not dance.
Size: 5098px × 3413px
Location: India
Photo credit: © Shrikrishna Paranjpe / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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