Banjara Community

Banjara Community Latest News

Recently, the Lok Sabha Speaker addressed the members of Banjara community at the 286th birth anniversary celebration of Sant Sewalal Maharaja at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

About Banjara Community

• Banjara is made of various groups found throughout India and most of them are found in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states in South India.
• This community settled across the country with different names, have permanently abandoned their nomadic lifestyle and settled in their settlements called Tandas.
• Language: They speak Gor Boli also called Lambadi which belongs to the Indo-Aryan Group of Languages. Lambadi has no script.
• The majority of Banjara in India are Hindu; some have combined Hindu practices with their own animistic beliefs. 

Culture of Banjara Community

• Banjara people celebrate the festival of Teej during Shravanam (in the month of august). In this festival young unmarried Banjara girls pray for a good groom.
• Fire dance and Chari are the traditional dance forms of the banjara people.
• Tattoos are very common in the banjara community. Like the banjara costume, Tattoo also express their personal style, identity and family connection.

Who is Santh Sevalal Maharaj?

• He is considered a social reformer and spiritual teacher of the Banjara community.
• He travelled across the country with his Ladeniya Troup to serve especially the forest dwellers and nomadic tribes.
• Due to his extraordinary knowledge, excellent skills and spiritual background in Ayurveda and Naturopathy, he was able to dispel and eradicate myths and superstitions prevalent in the tribal communities.

Banjara Community FAQs

Q1: Who is called Banjaras?

Ans: The Banjaras are a nomadic group of people from Afghanistan to the state of Rajasthan

Q2: What is the occupation of Banjara?

Ans: The Banjara people have a variety of occupations, including agriculture, trade, and handicrafts. 

Q3: Who is the saint of Banjara community?

Ans: Santh Sevalal Maharaj

Source: PIB