Bakarwal
Bakarwal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India | 849,660 (estimated) 7 |
| Pakistan | 1,000,000 (estimated) 1 |
| Languages | |
| Gojari, Koshur, Pashto, Hindko | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Gujjars, Gaddis, Awans | |
The Bakarwal, (also spelled Bakkarwal or Bakrawala) are a nomadic ethnic group primarily found in the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ladakh and Punjab.[1][2][3] They along with Gujjars, have been listed as Scheduled Tribes in states such as Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh since 1991.[4][5] The Bakarwals and Gujjars are the largest Muslim tribes and collectively form the third-largest ethnic community in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir.[6][5][7]
They spread over a large area from Pir Panjal to Zanskar located in the Himalayan mountains of India.[8][9][10]
History and origin
[edit]The Gujjars and Bakarwals are often grouped together as a single social category due to their shared ethnicity, language, religion, and cultural traditions. However, despite these commonalities, they are distinct communities based on their traditional occupations. The Bakarwals are a nomadic pastoralist group primarily engaged in rearing sheep and goats, while the Gujjars are a settled community that focuses on cattle-rearing, particularly cows and buffaloes.[11][12][13]
The Bakarwals and Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir sometimes practice inter-tribal marriages as well.[14][full citation needed]
Etymology
[edit]The term Bakarwal is occupational in origin, derived from the Gojri language. It combines the word "bakara", meaning goat or sheep, with "wal", which means "one who takes care of." Thus, Bakarwal refers to "those who take care of goats or sheep," reflecting the community's traditional livelihood as pastoralists.[8][page needed]
Economy
[edit]As transhumant pastoralists, the Bakarwals migrate seasonally between high and low altitudes in the Himalayan region. During the warmer months, they move to the upper Himalayan ranges, grazing their sheep and goats in the high-altitude pastures. In the colder months, they descend to the lower Himalayan ranges and foothills. This cyclical migration pattern, known as transhumance, allows the Bakarwals to effectively utilize different altitudes for grazing throughout the year, ensuring the well-being of their livestock. Their migration route spans the entire length of the Himalayas, from the Upper Himalayan Range down to the Lower Himalayan Range.[8][page needed]
Social status
[edit]As of 1991[update], the Bakarwal were classified as a Scheduled Tribe under the Indian government's general reservation program of positive discrimination.[15][16]
In 1991 the Bakarwals, Gaddis and Gujjar were granted tribal status in Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian government after an exhaustive study. The Bakarwals were entered into revenue records as a separate tribal category according to the Indian constitution. Bakarwals belong to the same ethnic stock as the Gujjars, and inter-tribal marriages take place freely among them.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ Taylor, Natalie (9 September 2020). "Pakistan's centuries-old Bakarwal community faces dual threat". Dialogue Earth. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Faraz, Shabina (10 September 2020). "Pakistan's centuries-old Bakarwal community faces dual threat". dawn.com. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Rafiq, Arshed (11 July 2018). "Nomadic life: A struggle against climate change and authorities". Daily Times Pakistan. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
- ^ Bamzai, Sandeep (6 August 2016). "Kashmir: No algorithm for Azadi". Orf. Observer Research Foundation. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016.
- ^ a b "Life turns into misery for occupied Kashmir's Bakarwal tribe". dawn.com. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "History & politics of systematic marginalization of Gujjar-Bakerwal tribe: A Subaltern Narrative". 3 December 2022.
- ^ Javid, Shahid; Muthukumar, Dr J. (8 February 2024). "Cultural And Traditional Life Of Gujjar And Bakarwal Tribes Of Jammu And Kashmir". Migration Letters. 21 (S1): 1097–1105. ISSN 1741-8992.
- ^ a b c Khatana, Ram Parshad (1992). Tribal Migration in Himalayan Frontiers: Study of Gujjar Bakarwal Transhumance Economy. Gurgaon, India: South Asia Books (Vintage Books). ISBN 978-81-85326-46-7.
- ^ Sharma, Anita (2009). The Bakkarwals Of Jammu And Kashmir: Navigating Through Nomadism. Delhi, India: Niyogi Books. ISBN 978-81-89738-48-8.
- ^ "Fenced out: pastoral lives of Bakarwals". People's Archive of Rural India. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ Dar, Sajad Ahmad (31 January 2023). "The Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir and their changing marriage rituals". Pastoralism. 13 (1): 1. Bibcode:2023Pasto..13....1D. doi:10.1186/s13570-022-00264-2. ISSN 2041-7136.
- ^ Sheikh, Sajad Ahmad (27 September 2022). "Cultural Aspect of Gujjar Bakerwal Life in Jammu and Kashmir". Research Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies: 3.
- ^ Khan, Farooq Ahmad (10 October 2021). "Understanding marriage customs among Bakerwal tribe in Kashmir" (PDF). International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts - Ijcrt (Ijcrt.org). 9 (10): 12.
- ^ Raha, Manish Kumar; Basu, Debashis (1994). "Ecology and Transhumance in the Himalaya". In Kapoor, Anuk K.; Kapoor, Satwanti (eds.). Ecology and Man in the Himalayas. New Delhi: M. D. Publications. pp. 33–48, pages 43–44. ISBN 978-81-85880-16-7. citing an unpublished paper by Negi, R. S. et al. "Socio-Economic Aspirations of Guijjara and Bakerwal"
- ^ Government of India. "Scheduled Tribes list of Jammu and Kashmir, India" (PDF). www.tribal.nic.in.
- ^ "List of Scheduled Tribes". Census of India: Government of India. 7 March 2007. Archived from the original on 7 February 2013.
- ^ "Neither Jammu, nor Kashmir: Bakarwals who've come into focus after the Kathua rape case need to be given citizenship". 10 June 2019.