Banjara, who are also known by numerous other names – such as Laman, Lambadi, and Vanjari – are a historically nomadic tribe, who may have origins in Afghanistan or in the Mewar region of what is now Rajasthan, northern India. The Banjaras usually refer to themselves as Gor and outsiders as Kor but this usage does not extend outside their own community. A related usage is Gor Mati or Gormati, meaning cattle grazers or Own People. Despite the community adopting a multitude of languages, Banjara is used throughout India, although in Karnataka the name is altered to Banijagaru. A survey conducted in 1968 by the All India Banjara Seva Sangh, a caste association, recorded 27 synonyms and 17 sub-groups.
The origin of the Banjaras has been a much-debated topic. One opinion is that they originate from whar is now the state of Rajasthan, whilst another suggests their origins lie in Afghanistan, where there is both a province and a village called Gor. As with many nomadic communities of India, they have a myth of origin that claims Rajput ancestry and this provides a connection to the Mewar region of Rajasthan: they say that they were Rajputs in that area until the time of Mughal domination, when they retreated to the forests and vowed to return only when the foreign influence had gone.
Banjaras were historically pastoralists, traders and transporters of goods on the inland regions of India, for which they used boats, carts, camels, oxen, donkeys and sometimes the relatively scarce horse. The mode of transport depended upon the terrain; for example, camels and donkeys were better suited to the highlands which carts could not negotiate, whilst oxen were able to progress better through wet lowland areas. They often travelled in groups for protection, this tanda being led by an elected headman variously described as a muqaddam, nayak or naik. However, many Europeans historically thought the Banjaras to be similar to Gypsies, although this was unjustified as there were significant differences. Habib notes that “Superstitions of all kinds, including suspected witch killings and sacrifices, reinforced the Gypsy image of the class”.
Language
Banjaras speak Gor Bol; also called Lambadi, it belongs to the Indo-Aryan group of languages.
Art
Banjara art includes performance arts such as dance and music as well as folk and plastic arts such as rangoli, textile embroidery, tattooing and painting. Banjara embroidery and tattooing are especially prized and also form a significant aspect of the Banjara identity.
Dance and music
Fire dance and Chari dance are the traditional dance forms of the Banjaras.
Religion
The majority of the Banjara people profess faith in Hinduism. They are known to worship deities such as Balaji, Jagadamba Devi, Bhavani of Tuljapur, Renuka Mata of Mahur, Mahadev, Khandoba and Hanuman. However, the Banjaras have been “ambiguous” with regard to religion and were “tolerant and syncretic”, according to Satya. Sevalal or Sevabhaya is the most important saint of the Banjaras.
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