Dhangar Community – ART & CULTURE
News: A
large group of Dhangars recently marched to the office of the sub divisional
officer in Khamgaon of Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, demanding a “grazing
corridor” for their sheep and goats.
What’s in the news?
- The Dhangar community, primarily
shepherds, resides across multiple Indian states including Gujarat,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and predominantly in Maharashtra.
- Classified under the Vimukta Jati and
Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) in Maharashtra, they lead a secluded lifestyle,
roaming forests, hills, and mountains.
Family
Structure and Demographics
- Household Dynamics:
Characterized by small, tightly knit family units, with familial bonds
playing a pivotal role.
- Population Insight:
The Dhangar community comprises approximately 1 crore individuals,
constituting about 9% of Maharashtra’s total population.
Historical background of Dhangar
- Economic activity –
British identified 23 subgroups of the Dhangars, many specialising in
livestock activities.
- While mostly settled
as agriculturalist, some within the cluster were nomadic.
- The Dange Dhangars
herd buffaloes in high-rainfall forest tracts of the Western Ghats.
- Social status –
British recognised them as a tribe for their nomadic nature and lower
status in Maharashtra.
- However, few were
privileged and even have royal antecedents.
- Ahilyabai
Holkar, the queen who reigned the Malwa
region in the 18th century was a Dhangar.
Cultural
and Sub-Caste Distinctions
- Sub-Castes:
The tribe consists of about 20 sub-castes, each with unique traditions and
customs.
Livelihood
and Economic Activities
- Primary Occupation:
Dependence on sheep and goat herding for livelihood, embracing both
nomadic pastoral and semi-nomadic agrarian lifestyles.
- Seasonal Migration:
Post-bajra harvest in October, they migrate annually seeking fertile
pastures for their livestock.
Cultural
Practices
- Customs and Rituals:
The journey includes ancestral worship and a variety of traditional
rituals.
- Cultural Significance of Music:
Night-time singing plays a critical role, serving both cultural and
communal functions.
- Oral Traditions:
Engage in ‘sumbaran,’ a traditional form of storytelling integral to their
cultural identity.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/nomadic-dhangar-community-demands-dedicated-grazing-corridors-in-maharashtra-forests