2. Bakarwal (or Bakharwal) is a nomadic tribe based in the Pir
Panjal and Himalayan mountains of South Asia. They are
mainly goatherds and shepherds. They are called as ‘Dhangar’
in rest of India.
'Bakarwal' is derived from the Gojri/Urdu/Punjabi/Kashmiri/Dogri
terms, ‘bakra’ meaning goat or sheep, and ‘wal’ meaning "one
who takes care of". Essentially, the name "Bakarwal" implies
"highaltitude goatherds/shepherds".
3. Bakarwals are spread
throughout the northern
part of the Himalayan
Range. the states of
Uttarakhand, Himachal
Pradesh, Punjab.
The districts of Jammu &
Kashmir, which are
highly concentrated by
the Bakarwals are
Poonch, Rajouri,
Anantnag,
Udhampur, Kupwara and
Srinagar.
4. One interesting theory of their origin claims they migrated
from Georgia (Gurgia) and made their way to the Sub-
continent through Central Asia before settling down in
Gujarat. What pushed a fraction of the tribe towards
Northern India is supposedly a severe drought condition
affecting Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan during the 5th or
6th century AD.
5. Gojri language is the main
language that is used by most
of the people belongs to
bakarwal tribal community.
Beside Gojri language
Kashmiri, Urdu and Dogri
languages are also spoken by
this community.
Gojri is one of the ancient
languages of India. In well
documented pieces of the
works the historians have
traced the origin and practice
of Gojri language since BC era.
7. Bakarwals are nomadic
shepherds who roam
around Himalayan states,
especially Jammu and
Kashmir, in search of
pastures for their
livestock.
The nomadic group often
travels to the lower plains
during winter. Left,
Kashmiri nomads walked
with their herd of goats
and sheep through Zojila
Pass
8. Bakarwal men and women
wear salwarkameez i.e. known
as suthan and the kameez as
peherni or kurti.
Bakarwalmen also wear a
jacket known as basket on the
kameez, their turban is known
as turban is known as patka or
lungi. In the winter men also
wear a coat, and shawl known
as chadri, to keep warm in the
bitter cold. Women wear a
chuuni known as chipri with
their salwarkameez. A smaller
triangular scarf mainly worn
by the younger women is
kasawa.
9. By religion they are either Hindu or Muslim. Most of
the people belonging to bakarwal tribal community
to be strict Muslims of a deep religious nature.
Interestingly, Bakarwal also observe some Hindu
festivals like ‘Baisakhi’ and ‘Lori’ and performs some
rituals on these occasions on these festivals.
10. Many festivals celebrated by this community are
common among the Muslim brothers of the Kashmir
but few of them are celebrated by the ‘Bakarwals’ only
like ‘Baisakhi’, lighting lamps on the greaves shrines
which are very close to Hindus of North India.
The main religious activities and festivals observed by
the ‘Bakarwal’ community are five times prayers, fasting
in the month of ‘Ramdhan’, ‘Idul-Fitar’, ‘Idul-Zaha’,
‘Naoroz’ and ‘Baisakhi’.
11. Source: Field Work (2011) made by Dr.Mohd. Tufail, Note: Sample Size: 210
12. Jirga is a Persian word. It
means a gathering, a public,
a "Panchayat" or a
consultation. According to
figure, 58 percent of the
Bakarwals still practice
Jirgas and settle their cases
within their community
while 42 percent have the
views that jirgas do not
exist now and they settle
their cases with the help of
police and modern courts.
on.
58%
42%
EXISTANCE OF JIRGAS IN
BAKARWAL COMMUNITY (IN
PERCENTAGE)
YES
NO
13. Due to 20 years of disturbance in the state and shift
towards sedentarisation a lot has been changed from their
centuries old transhumance and forced shift towards
sedentarisation. Changes are found in all aspects of their
life. As the country is marching ahead through
developmental programmes, Bakarwals are also influenced
by it and changes are witnessed in their every walk of life.
We can find changes in their social, political, cultural and
economic spheres.
