Transition in Process: Changing Family, Marriage and Kinship Patterns of Gujjars of Jammu

Author(s): Dr. Nisha Sharma

Abstract:

The Gujjars constitute an important ethnic group in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and enjoys the status of scheduled tribe since 1991. Gujjars and Bakarwals are the third largest ethnic group after Kashmiris and Dogras inhabiting the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. According to the 2011 census, the Gujjars and Bakkarwals constitute 11.9% of the total population of Jammu and Kashmir-1.5 million out of 12.5 million. Traditionally nomadic communities, with their names indicating the livestock they reared (Gujjars reared cattle, Bakarwals reared sheep and goats-“Gau” means cow, and “Bakara” is goat”), the communities have adopted somewhat different paths. Gujjars as a community are distinct people and stand apart from the rest. They are from a distinctive racial stock having sharp features. They dress differently. Gujjars follow Islam and have a language of their own called Gojri- which is their mother tongue. Gujjars maintain their kinship and matrimonial relationship within the confines of their community. Social divisions among the Gujjars exist on the basis of religion and occupation. They perceive themselves in the middle order of regional social hierarchy and others also recognize them in the same way. The Gujjars who led a nomadic life for a long period of time and engaged in transhumant economy with main occupation of cattle herding and cattle rearing that determined their social life are becoming a settled community in recent years. The process of settling down has witnessed several changes in the social structure comprising of their family, marriage and kinship patterns as a result of modern indicators like education and employment. The present study is an attempt to highlight the changes in the social structural aspects of Gujjars.

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