User:HeemaShah2000/sandbox

Overview
The Rabari Community is an indigenous and nomadic Tribe that is prevalent mostly in Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan. The word 'Rabari' means "beyond rules and regulations". There have been many myths regarding their origin. Some claim that they are the decedents of the Rajputs whereas some say that they were sent by Lord Shiva.

They are typically Shepherd based communities whose hunger for cattle keeps them moving. However, they have started farming in Patan, Gujarat. Post partition, the Rabaris have faced tremendous struggle because their business mainly consisted of driving the cattle from parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and then eventually, to India. Their language is a blend of Gujarati, Kachchhi and Marwari. They wear different types of ornaments, depending on their age, marital status and the number of children.Their staple food is bajra, jowar and rice along with different pulses and vegetables. Most the Rabaris are vegetarian but some families also eat eggs, chicken and pork. The literacy rate in this community is very low and especially amongst the women of the Rabari Community. Women do not have any right on the parental property and generally only focus on home-making and raising children. The Rabaris profess HInduism and mostly and preach Lord Shiva and Shakti. Most of the Rabari families practice sheep breeding and selling milk even today and earn their survival through this economic activity only. The embroidery work of the women of the Rabari Community is known for its originality.

Majority of the Rabari families are nuclear families because a vertically extended family of the Rabaris generally splits. This community has struggled for years and therefore the Indian Government is encouraging them by providing loan wavers and helping them in small business set ups in order to help them and make their survival easier.