Photo Gallery

The Rabari are a semi-nomadic pastoral people who live mainly in the western Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. They are known for their rich cultural identity, which is particularly reflected in their distinctive clothing and jewellery. The women traditionally wear heavy bangles, which can often extend from the wrist to the upper arm, as well as eye-catching silver jewellery around the neck and ears. – Ranakpur – 1990

Older Rabari women often have traditional tattoos (trahi) on their arms, legs or face, which have both aesthetic and cultural significance. The striking white upper-arm bangles are a distinctive identifying feature of married Rabari women in this region. A long veil or scarf covers the head and shoulders. These are often in bright colours such as red or black and may be decorated with small mirrors (shisha embroidery). – Ranakpur – 1990

A man from the Rabari community, an indigenous group of nomads and herders. Rabari men traditionally wear very large, voluminous white turbans. The way the turban is wrapped and the pattern (here a subtle floral print) can often provide clues as to the specific region or social status. Wearing large gold earrings and several beaded necklaces is an integral part of the male traditional costume and serves both as decoration and as an expression of wealth. – Jodhpur area – 1990

A woman from the Rabari community is piling the grain she has winnowed into a heap. She is wearing many bangles, which are an essential status symbol for married women in Rajasthan. Wearing many bracelets – particularly those made from materials such as coloured glass, clay or the traditional lac (resin) – indicates that a woman is married and symbolically serves to ensure her husband’s protection, health and long life. – Jodhpur area – 1990

A woman is performing the ritual known as ‘threshing’, in which grain (such as millet or wheat) is thrown into the air so that the wind separates the lighter chaff from the heavier grains. The woman is wearing many bracelets, which are an essential status symbol for married women in Rajasthan. Wearing many bracelets – particularly those made of materials such as coloured glass, clay or the traditional lac (resin) – indicates that a woman is married and symbolically serves to ensure her husband’s protection, health and long life. – Jodhpur area – 1990

This young woman from the Jodhpur area is wearing the traditional jewellery and clothing characteristic of the nomadic communities in this region. The numerous white rings on her upper and lower arms are known as churas. In many Rajasthani tribes, married women wear this jewellery, which was traditionally made of ivory or bone and is now mostly made of plastic. Her facial jewellery includes a striking nose ring (nath) and an elaborate headband (matha patti). The heavy necklaces with green beads and large metal pendants are typical examples of the region’s tribal-style silver jewellery. – Jodhpur area – 1990

A woman is performing the ritual known as ‘threshing’, in which grain (such as millet or wheat) is thrown into the air so that the wind separates the lighter chaff from the heavier grains. The woman is wearing many bracelets, which are an essential status symbol for married women in Rajasthan. Wearing many bracelets – particularly those made of materials such as coloured glass, clay or the traditional lac (resin) – indicates that a woman is married and symbolically serves to ensure her husband’s protection, health and long life. – Jodhpur area – 1990