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TRIBAL GUJARAT TOUR

The Aryans were the first people to come from the north who either conquered or drove away the Bhils, the traditional rulers of Gujarat. Apart from these two distinct classes, a third class of people known as 'Kolis' are equally important and occupy an intermediate social position between the Aryans and the Bhils. Aryans are now commonly recognised as Hindus. The immigration during the medieval period brought Islam and Zoroastrianism to Gujarat and initiated the growth of a multi-religious society.

The peninsula of Kathiawar is named after the Kathis who came to Saurashtra at the close of the fourteenth century. Their origin is not fully known but it is possible that they were driven southwards by the Muslim invaders. 'Khachar' and 'Chotila' were the most important seats of the Kathis. Worshippers of the Sun, they were essentially nomadic and had developed, among other pastoral occupations, the art of horse-breeding. Successive waves of immigrants from other parts of India have led to a superimposition of different communities and cultures in Kathiawar. The powerful royal families, which conquered Saurashtra later on established their rule over there.

'Rabaris' are a community of cattle-breeders who have migrated from Sindh and Marwar and claim a Rajput ancestry. The Rabaris stand out prominently by their features and dress. They lead a nomadic life.

The Kutchis, who were the natives of the peninsula of Kutch, have their own dialects. The Kutchis are both Hindus and Muslims and a large number of them have migrated from Sindh.

Day 1: Arrive Mumbai
Upon arrival meet & greet and escorted to your Hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 2: Mumbai – Ahmedabad (Flight)
Morning after breakfast check out from the Hotel and you will be transferred to airport to connect flight to Ahmedabad.Upon arrival you will be meta and driven to Utelia, a feudal village clustered around a medieval palace.

Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 3: The Bharwad
A pastoral people, the Bharwad are shepherds and cattlemen. No longer wanderers, most Bharwadi live in villages painting their houses primarily in blues, greens and white. We visit several, wandering the neat lanes, and perhaps visiting one or two homes. Some Bharwadi have turned their talents to different occupations; the polishing and cutting of diamonds is one, and we will be able to photograph the steps that turn a handful of dull looking opaque lumps into sparkling gems. At a local camel-breeding farm, the business of producing the finest stock of camels is explored.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 4: A Stepwell & Sun Temple
Our drive to Balaram takes us away from life today and into the past. We plan three major stops: a museum, a stepwell (baoli), and a sun temple. The Calico Museum is one of the most fascinating museums in all of Gujarat, if not India, and houses an extensive array of tribal fabrics, both modern and antique, wall hangings, tapestries, and costumes. Adalaj Wav (built in 1499) is the most famous of the Gujarati baolis (step-wells). These elaborate creations, unique to Gujarat, were constructed by royal families as a means of ensuring a source of water throughout the year and as a place of escape from the fierce Gujarati summers. The stone-clad walls have been adorned with carvings of flowers and birds, and at the bottom of the five story-deep well, is a small pool of water. The Modhera Sun Temple dates from the reign of King Bhimdev I (1027/27), and is said to resemble the famous Konark temple in Orissa. Like Adalaj Wav, Modhera's granite austerity is relieved by the slight of brightly-clad locals walking around the complex.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 5: The Gowala & The Garacia
Tribes that are second cousins to each other, they differ only in the manner of living; the Gowala are more settled, the Garacia are still prone to roaming, and their women dress is a manner slightly less ostentatious than the Gowala females. Their tribal home is among the hills that separate Gujarat from Rajasthan, and they are primarily sheepherders. One evening we will enjoy a private performance of tribal dances.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 6: Patan's Patola Weavers and The Rani-ki-Vav
An art that today is only practised by three families, patola is an intricate form of double ikat weaving that is so difficult and demanding that one sari can take up to six months to complete. All three families live near Gujarat's oldest baoli, the 11th-century Rani-ki-vav; we will visit one of the families, and explore the stepwell during our drive into the Little Rann of Kutch.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 7: The Banjara and The Rabari
The Little Rann of Kutch separates Kutch from the rest of Gujarat. It is an area composed of marshy salt flats and inhospitable terrain. Flamingos breed in the area's shallow lakes; here too, the last remaining khurs (Asiatic wild asses) live in a protected sanctuary. Through this land travel the Rabari, the most nomadic of Gujarat's tribes, constantly searching for better grazing ground for their camels and sheep. Other tribes have settled here, including the Banjara, who make their living from cattle, and whose female members are famous for their embroidery.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 8: Into The Rann of Kutch
Today, we head westward into the bleak countryside of Kutch, Gujarat's last frontier. It will be a day of driving, with no scheduled stops, only those of our own choosing as we head toward Bhuj, the region's capital. This, fortunately, is the season when the Rabari migrate, so it's possible our journey may be enlivened by meeting a group of them along the way.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 9 to Day 11: A Melting Pot of Tribes
Megwar. Samma. Jat. Mutwa. Ahir. Rabari. These are just some of the tribes we will photograph over the next four days as we make daily excursions into the barren and inhospitable landscape that is the Great Rann of Kutch. Some time will be devoted to Bhuj, which was partially destroyed by the earthquake that struck in January 2001. We tour the Old City (via motor rickshaws) seeing, among other places, the Aina (Old) and Prag (New) mahals (palaces) and visit the Bhartiya Folk Museum with its exhibits pertaining to local tribal life. We also visit an artist who is one of only three peple continuing to paint in the Rogan style.

Day 12: Homeward Bound
Saturday morning we fly from Bhuj to Bombay. Upon arrival direct transfer to International airport to connect flight for onward journey.

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