However, he became corrupted and abandoned the true faith, prohibiting all worship and sacrifice, except to himself. The Mahabharata and other ancient texts tell that Vena was a wise and just king who ruled many tribes and peoples in eastern India. FOLKLOREĪccording to legend, the Kolis are the descendants of the black dwarf who is believed to have emerged from the body of King Vena. These languages are written in the Devanagari and Gujarati scripts, respectively. Thus, most speak one of the numerous dialects of Marathi or Gujarati, both of which belong to the Indo-Aryan language family. Kolis speak the language of their localities. Thus the Kutchhi Kohli, even though they are classed as a Scheduled Tribe in Gujarat State, consider themselves to be superior to other Hindus, and at least equal with Brahmans. Koli communities in Pakistan also view their social standing somewhat differently. Kolis in that region of Pakistan include the Parkari Koachchhi, the Wadiyara Koli, the Kutchhi Kohli (or Lohar), and the Tharadari Koli. They are primarily Hindu, a relic of pre-Partition days, and culturally and linguistically they are very similar to the nomadic Rabari and other peoples in the region. Kolis are also found in Sindh and areas of the Thar Desert east of the river in the lower Indus Valley in Pakistan. Other Koli groups are found in the interior of Gujarat and the upland regions of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The Son Kolis are concentrated in the coastal areas around Bombay. Kolis are spread through the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, with small communities also found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa. A current estimate of total Koli population is about 12 million, though this figure may well include groups that once were Koli but are now considered as other castes. The Kolis form one of the largest tribal groups in the western part of India. Thus the Khant, Bariya, and Thakore Kolis of Gujarat give brides to Rajputs, converted Rajputs, and Muslims, but never give their daughters to lower caste Kolis such as the Pagis and Kotwals. In some localities, however, Kolis claim Rajput blood, follow Rajput customs, and have a relatively high social position. The other branch of the Kolis, the Hill Kolis, acquired a widespread reputation as "hill robbers." Kolis are generally held to be of low social status and are classified either as Dalits ("Untouchables"), Sudras or as a Scheduled Tribe. One branch of the Kolis, the Son Kolis or Sea Kolis, are thought to have settled in the region of Bombay (Mumbai) during the 12th century ad, where, today, they are usually fishermen. Another theory links them to the Kol and Munda tribes of east-central India. One view holds that they entered the region from Sindh and were part of the White Huns. The origin of the Kolis remains a matter of debate. Some writers suggest that the English word coolie, meaning porter or hired laborer, comes from Koli. Kolis are thus a group of tribes or castes, rather than a monolithic entity. they do not intermarry with the Kolis of other regions. It is possible that the name of the tribe is derived from the Sanskrit kula, meaning "clan." There are numerous groupings and sub-groupings among the Kolis, who tend to be endogamous, i.e. Although traditionally classed as a tribe inferior in status to the Kunbis, the cultivating caste of the region, Kolis have now been designated as a Hindu caste in some areas. Koli is a vague term covering the tribal populations living in parts of western India. LANGUAGE: Dialects of Marathi or Gujarati, or the language of the region of India in which they live LOCATION: India (primarily Maharashtra and Gujarat states)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |