India: The Kutch Peoples

Antique Vintage Exquisite Banjara 100% hand Embroidered with mirror work Sari Indian Toran / Valance / Window or Door Topper / Wall Hanging Tapestry from the Kutch region of Gujarat in Western India, Size Large: 49" x 28" with seven pods

SKU# NH7836

You are looking at a very vibrant & stunning work of folk craftsmanship, one of the most Ethnic pieces you've probably ever seen. The "Banjara" style is one of the most prized styles of hand embroidery, never seen in any departmental store in the U.S and limited to collector's sites. What distinguishes this memorable style of embroidery is the fact that it covers every inch of fabric with exuberant colors of rural western India. This lovely picturesque hand crafted & 100% hand embroidered Toran / Valence is a visual delight. A 0.25" Red trim lends character to this magnificent Toran / Wall Hanging. The extensive mirror work adds to the sparkle and lends a spectacularly ethnic look and add style to your room. Transform your window / door / wall with the royal grandeur of Indian culture. This hand embroidered Toran is guaranteed to bring you lots of compliments and is truly a bohemian crazy, conversational piece of accessory that everyone's room needs.

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The Peoples of Kutch

Kutch has been a significant confluence point for different races and people. The nomadic pastoralists are certainly the most interesting and their links can be traced on one side to Marwar and Mewar (regions of Rajasthan), Saurashtra and, on the other side, Sindh and beyond to Afghanisthan, Iran and Central Asia.       The great Rabari group is spread over the western plains of India from Kutch to Rajasthan. They are Hindu cattle-breeders and shepherds, falling into three endogamous groups - those of Kutch, Rajasthan and Central Gujarat.
There are further sub-divisions according to region like the Garasia, Kachela, Dhebaria and Wagadia of Kutch. Rabaries worship the mother goddess, Ramdev Pir, horsemen heroes and the sainted dead. In Kutch, after the monsoon rains and their year's wanderings, they celebrate all marriages on one day only, that of Gokul Ashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna.
The other main group of pastoralists consists of two dozen nomadic and semi-nomadic Muslim groups who trace their roots from Sindh and beyond. The Jath are the largest such group. The others are smaller and live in Banni area, a low-lying, sixteen hundred square kilometers pastureland close to the salt marshes of the Great Rann of Kutch, and also in the surrounding areas. The main clans are the Halipotra, Raisipotra, Mutwa, Node, Hingorjah, Bhambha, Cher, Junejah, Kaskalee, Korar, Ladai, Nunai, Pathan, Baluch, Samejah, Sumra and Tabah. The Dhanetah section of the Jath are also in the Banni. They keep mainly cattle, no goats, and are settled around nearly fifty water-holes on the Banni. The Jaths are a nomadic community spread over Kutch. They appear to have started their migration to this area, from Sindh, some four hundred years ago. Their main groups are Dhanetah, Fakirani and Garasia. The Garasia Jaths live mainly in the Nakhatrana region of Kutch. There is a sprinkling of Bharwads also in Kutch, and they have spilled over from their home region in Kathiawar. There is a great concentration of Ahirs in Kutch. In and around Pacham are the Sammas. An interesting community is that of the Sodha Rajputs, some of whom have been settled in Kutch in the recent past only, after coming from Pakistan. In other castled villages tribals like the Koli mingle with the normal population mix of Patels, Jadejas, Rajputs, Bhatias, Kayasths, Lohanas, Gosains, Gadhvis, Kapdis, Jains, Brahamans, Jogis, Banias, Bairagis, Sanghars, Bhanushalis, Bhadalas Syeds, Shaikhs, Pathans, Khojas, Memans, Miyanas, Sammas, Kharvas and Toris. And intermingling with them are the service groups and craftsmen.