The Gujjars and Bakarwals are the
cattle rearing transhumants (people practicing seasonal migration)
who oscillate to the different altitudes of mountain with their herds
in the valleys of Jammu and Kashmir.Scholars have different views
regarding their origin, some are of the view that they are the
pastoral nomads of Central Asia, while some consider them the
descendant of the Kushan and the Yuchi tribes of Eastern Tatars
(Russia). Some scholars hold the view that they are of Indian origin.
Recent archeological, linguistic and geographical evidences trace
their migration from a territory between Black Sea and Caspian Sea
and proved them the descendant of Gurjis. It is believed that
originally residing in Gujarat, part of the tribe migrated towards JK
after the outbreak of a serious famine in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The natural pastures utilized by the Gujjars and Bakarwals are
seasonal. The pastoral economy of Gujjars depends on availability of
these pasture. Winter and summer pastures have different climatic
condition which results in their oscillation. While advent of summer
is signaled by drying up of pastures in the south, they take the
folks during this period to the pastures of high altitude, locally
known as dhoks,
in the north. When the highland pastures are covered with snow and
ice and health of folks is affected by severe cold at high altitudes,
they started migrating to the lower altitude pastures in the month of
September. Major oscillation channels of Gujjars and Bakarwals are
through Pir Panjal range.
Economy and Society
A dera is referred to the household of
a man, established after marriage. Each son thus establishes his own
dera as he gets married. It consists of five to six members. Division
of labour in a household is based upon sex and age. Female performs
the domestic work while male perform more arduous task like herding
of cattle, repairing of tools, hunting of wild animals, ploughing and
harvesting of crops. The household is thus primary economic unit
Several dera constitute a lineage
(dada-potra). The pastures are allotted to lineage but not to
individuals. Lineage may have 200 persons. Each lineage has a head
who is responsible for the socio-economic and political activities of
his group. The entire Gujjar community is divided into a number of
gotras (clans). The gotra system have been borrowed from their Hindu
Gujjars. The gotra name is often suffixed to their names. The Gujjars
have established institution of Zirga (panchayat), which decides the
disputes among the members. By faith the Gujjars and Bakarwals are
the followers of Islam. They practices the basic principles Islam.
Due to there migratory habits, their social and cultural traditions
are strongly influenced by the migratory pattern. Their main
festivals are Iduul- Fitrr, Iduul- Azha, Naoroz and Baishakhi. They
start their upward journey after celebration of Baishakhi in the
month of April.
In brief Gujjars-Bakarwals have an
organised social life. The existence of social and economic
institutions, functional groups and social stratification, the
customs, traditions and taboos are result of their trans-human nature.
