Kawar tribe

Kawar
(Western Region)
This tribal group is living in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan with a population of 14,279
(1991 census) and sex ratio of 1:0.93.
They are sub divided into Dudharu, Kawar, Pakira and Rathia Kawar. They have many
gotras (a name of forefather on which a descendent group follow some prohibitions and
behave as brothers and sisters).
Their physical features are proto-australoid (Kawar and Pakira) and Dravidian (Dudharu
and Rathia) racial stocks (medium to long stature, yellowish to brown skin, scanty skin
hair and narrow nose).
They speak Mewari (a language of the Rajasthani language group).
Birth Ceremony
The pregnant women follow some taboo from the seventh month of the pregnancy till the
birth of the child. The birth ceremony is celebrated over a period of four days. They
worship Mati mata (earth goddess) as goddess of fertility. They offer liquor and food
(especially bread) to her. On the fourth day, a dinner is given to the community. One
month after the birth, the mother takes a sacred bath and the family worship Mati mata.
Marriage Ceremony
They are a gotra exogamous group. Consent and surrogate marriages are in practice.
Widow and levirate marriages are also in light. The bride has to be proposed in marriage
by the bridegroom’s parents. During settlement of marriage, feasting and performances of
certain religious rites take place. The marriage may take place a few years after the
engagement. Both sides meet their own expenses. Kanya puja (the bridegroom’s party
washes the feet of the bride) and vara puja (the bride’s party washes the feet of the
groom) rituals are performed with feasting and drinking (liquor made by Mahua seeds).
The marriage ends. Bride wealth acts as the prime factor in the settlement of marriage.
Death Ceremony
They burn the dead body. Matti ritual is celebrated on the first of cremation. Chulah ritual
(farewell to the soul) is celebrated on the third day. A feast is given to the community.
Food is not prepared in the dead person’s home up to ten days after the death. After the
death they make a menhir (an upright stone on the cremation site) in the memory of the
dead person.
Religion
They follow Hindu gods (Ram, Krishna, Shiva) and goddesses (Durga and Parvati) but
Christianity has spread to some extent among them (7%). Christian missionaries are
engaged in the work of conversion.
Economy
Their economy is mainly based on agriculture. In the absence of cultivation, manual labor
and house service fulfils their economic necessity. Hunting and food gathering are also in
practice. They practice Bewar (shifting) cultivation.
Education
Maximum Kawars (2.7%) are primary school educated. 6 primary schools, 2 junior high
schools and one high school are in their locality (Udaipur and adjoining areas).
Political Organization
Baithak – traditional panchayat of 3 members, is in influence. It hears marriage and land
disputes. Now Panchayati raj system is taking its shape in the villages.
Kawar require encouragement for improvement and they can do much of the work in this
direction. They are familiar with modernity but poverty is a barrier for them to acquire it.
Kawar mainly require facilities for improvement and proper opening for their careers in
different fields.