Photoblog – Rabari Village

The life in the village looks simple, but has its own complexities. There is a strict social code which governs most things in the lives of the Rabari tribes of Rajasthan. This code of conduct decides how they dress, what they eat, how they socialise. It is their lens to look at the world.

They make time for us, even as we arrive unannounced. We are served tea with the fresh Sheep milk. There is no formality about it, just a matter-of-fact generosity. Whatever they have, they share. It’s a small village that does not see many outsiders. 

Coming face to face with Rabari’s is like seeing a mirror which shows us our modern lives as much we see theirs. They have questions for us, as much as we have for them. They measure us on their yardstick, as we judge them through the lens of our lifestyles.  They are concerned about a girl in our team who hasn’t married yet, and are curious about how old all of us actually are, and how many boys do we have. They want to place us in their pecking order of casts and social hierarchy.

They are sceptical of us – the untrustworthy city folks, with our camera’s and social media. It takes many hours of being around each other before the walls to come down a bit, and for our worlds to connect. Our driver is a local guy from the area, who is also the bearer of all news from the outside world. He updates them of some government programs and subsidies – which does seem suspect. They hear it all with the right level of scepticism, but are entertained by him, even as they learn to ignore us and our cameras.

These are last of their kind who are still connected to their centuries old traditions. As the modern world creeps into their lives, their unique traditions are being replaced by the generic consumer culture. The new generation of the Rabari’s will have to adjust to the changing world. The skills that once helped them survive will not be sufficient.

Time moves slowly in this village – at a mammalian pace. It moves to the the rhythm of the sheep, to the needs of the body, and to the movement of the sun. There is enough time for leisurely chat, of sharing a smoke, and having tea.

They trust our team leader, who has built his relationships with the Rabari over many years of meeting them. He remembers to bring back the prints of pictures he took on his previous visit from a year ago.. These small gestures mean a lot to them, and this relationship allow us access to them and their homes.