|
Piral
The goatherds are called
Piral. They are nomads. In the winter month they
come down to Kangra and the forests of Hoshiarpur and in the summer they live
along the banks of the rivers Chandrabhaga in Lahaul. They are brave and hard
working and love festivities of all kinds. Their marriage customs are similar to
those of the Hindus. Some of them follow polygamy.
Gaddis
The Gaddis live in the Chamba-Sirmaur regions. Their settlements are known as
Gadderan which means the abode of the Gaddis. Gaddis are descendants of the
Khatris of Punjab who migrated to the high hill due to persecution by the Muslim
rulers. This tribe has also settled in Mandi, Kangra and Bilaspur but their
largest numbers live in the Kamgra district. Some of their main castes and
sub-castes are Brahmins, Khatris, Rajputs, Thakurs, Rathis, Kolis, Sippys,
Lohars, Bahdis and Hali. The Khatris and Rajputs wear Chola and Dora (the sacred
thread) according to the Gaddi custom. When taking decisions about marriage they
consider the Gotra. The Gaddi dress is very attractive. Their black sash
is very helpful in carrying weight upon the back. Their women wear colourful
homespun dresses and a thick scarf over their heads which can also be used as a
veil. They often carry little kids in the folds of their special sashes. The Gaddi women wear several rows of semi precious stones and
display little mirrors which are studded in the necklaces. They use peacock
feathers as ornaments.
The Gaddis are shepherds. Their sheep and goats are known as Dhan (property).
Some of them do farming also and some families are weavers and tinkers by trade.
Before the advent of the machines they also earned their living by pounding
millet and carrying loads. Financially they are well off. Their traditional
attire consists of a long coat (chola), dora, safa (turban), nualali tope (cap)
and a draping sheet. They are fond of tobacco and in the wedding feasts wine is
also served.
The Gaddis spend half of the year in their villages cultivating their fields
and the remaining half migrating in search of grass and fodder for their herds.
They are simple and virtuous and live in joint families and have a strict moral
code. Their women are modest and chaste.
Nepalese
The houses of the Nepalese who had settled in the state are small, surrounded
by gardens and full of decorative articles. Most of them are in the armed
forces. Their women wear saris and love to wear flowers round their necks, in
their hair and their ears. Dharmashala (Mcleod-Gunj) has a large number of
Tibetan refuges settlement. Their dress, food habits and speech are different
from the local people. They are mostly traders by profession.
|
