Rabari (Hindu traditions) in India

Introduction / History

The Rabari people are distributed in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. They are also called Raika, Rabha, Bhopa, Devagi and Utwalle.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Rabari tend sheep, goats and camels. Children are also engaged in their primary occupation. Most of the Rabari are vegetarian while some are non-vegetarian; their everyday diet consists of homemade bread of millet or wheat and jowar.
Child marriage is common, however adult marriages are also performed through negotiation. They allow remarriage for both the widow and widower. They maintain only putative kinship with others. The Rabari live in joint families. They cremate their dead.
They have a caste council called Nyat to protect the interests of their community. The Rabari social organization is characterized by the clan system, locally called Ataks.
In Rajasthan the Rabari wear colorful dresses, while the Gujarati Rabari prefers white garments. They are good at the traditional art of cloth embroidery. They marry within their community. They speak Hindi, Marwari, Haryanvi and use the Devanagari script.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Rabari regard Durga and Shiva as their supreme deities. Shiva, Krishna, Durga and Amba are their clan deities. They also worship Rama, Ganesh, Shiva, Durgadevi and Hanuman as village deities. Every year they hold a three day festival at Asthal Bohar.

What Are Their Needs?

Like all other peoples of the world, this people group needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.

Prayer Points

Pray for a movement to Christ among the Rabari people that will bless them in every way.
Pray for an end to child marriages and other social problems among the Rabari people.
Pray for Rabari children to have good schools, leading them to be productive in India's changing economy.
Pray for spiritual hunger and discernment among Rabari elders.

Text Source:   Joshua Project