Raika Tribe

Raika Tribe Latest News

The Raika’s knowledge of pasture cycles, animal health and biodiversity has long supported the health of Rajasthan’s arid ecology.

About Raika Tribe

• The Raika tribe is an indigenous pastoralist community primarily inhabiting the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, notably around Kumbhalgarh in Rajsamand district.
• Also known as Rabaris, they have a distinct socio-cultural relationship with camels.
• The Raikas have historically been the principal breeders of Rajasthan’s indigenous camel breeds, especially the Marwari camel, known for its strength, endurance, and desert adaptability.
• For the Raikas, camel herding is not just a livelihood but a cultural identity, woven into rituals, oral traditions, and seasonal migrations.
• The Raikas possess traditional knowledge of pasture cycles, animal health, and biodiversity, which has historically sustained the fragile ecology of Rajasthan’s arid landscapes.
• Their age-old migratory grazing routes allowed camels to feed on medicinal desert shrubs, enhancing both animal health and ecosystem balance.

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Raika Tribe FAQs

Q1: Who are the Raika tribe?
Ans: The Raika (or Rabari) are a traditional pastoralist community mainly found in Rajasthan, known for camel rearing and livestock herding.

Q2: What is unique about the Raikas’ relationship with camels?
Ans: They consider camel rearing a sacred duty, with many viewing it as a divine command from Lord Shiva, making them cultural stewards of the Thar Desert.

Source: DTE