The Tribal Tales

4.9
Visit to Pachpadra Village
Tribal jewellery worn by the Banjara community is made by people of the Soni community and to understand the process of making the tribal ornaments we
visited Pachpadra village.
Pachpadra is a village in Balotara Tehsil in Barmer district of Rajasthan. It belongs to Jodhpur division and is located 105 KM towards East from the district
headquarters Barmer. One of the attractions of this village is Pachpadra lake which is known for salt collection around it and extraction as well as the production
of salt.
Bhanwarlal - Mohanlal Jewellers were well known in Pachpadra village for making tribal jewellery for the Banjara community and call it “Banjaro ka
gehna”. We visited their shop and met Mr Dinesh Soni who was 26 years old. He belonged to the Soni community. He told us that making tribal jewellery
has been their family tradition continued by almost 5 generations of their family. He told us that they make the tribal jewellery and send it to places namely
Ramgarh, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur for selling them. They told us that jewellery is important for a Banjara woman as it is regarded as a symbol of marriage. It gives
an identity to them. Thus, tribal jewellery worn by Banjara women is an essential part of their customs and traditions. He mentioned that not only silver but
also gold is used to make jewellery for Banjara people. Widow women wear simple and plain jewellery pieces while unmarried women do not wear tribal
jewellery pieces.
He told us that the Banjara people living in Pachpadra village work in quarries, farms, factories, refineries, etc. to earn their livelihood and told us that many
people of the Banjara community have migrated to other cities like Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, etc. to earn.
Mr Dinesh Soni told us he learnt the art of making the tribal ornaments from his father and for the last 5 years he has been making tribal jewellery pieces.
He mentioned that inter-caste marriage is not allowed in their family and the father is the family head and takes important decisions. He is the one who buys
silver from places like Jodhpur, Ahmedabad and uses it to make the ornaments.
He told us about Chud and Muthia, which is an iconic ornament worn by the women of the Banjara community in their arms and forearms.
Detachable earrings called Jhoomar toti are worn by the Banjara women, a pair of these earrings weigh around 50-60 grams. Fundi is used as beautiful hanging
pieces and are attached to other jewellery pieces. Polri is toe ring worn by the Banjara women. They even have silver accessories for hair. Bakalkhana
is a silver clip used as a hair accessory. Dama is a silver ring made for kids and ankhuli is also an ornament for the kids. It is believed to protect them from
any negative spirit.
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