DOCUMENTATION

DOCUMENTATION:

Baseline Survey

Objective

Post independence there has been very little documentation on Nomadic communities. This baseline survey is Econet’s attempt to establish the first recorded document of different Nomadic communities in Maharashtra who currently receive no recognition from the government or society. We were also interested to find out the socio-economic status of the communities and their traditional and present professions. A development design for these communities needs to be established and our hope for this survey is that it will provide necessary information for an appropriate design and plan for implementation.

Process further………………

The process was started by the formation of a small group of organizations and individuals to address issues of Nomadic communities. This small group later became known as the Maharashtra Bhatak Vimukta Manch. In February of 2006, a National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi Nomadic tribes was established. Econet began interacting with other groups working with Nomadic communities in different geographic areas of Maharashtra. We came to the decision to do a baseline survey of Nomadic communities.

The data collection began in 2006. The survey reached out to 60 villages and 22 Nomadic communities as shown below.  

The communities in Maharashtra that the survey covered are:
Chitrakathi, Vidu, Nathjogi, Phase pardhi, Nandiwala, Tirmali Nandiwala, Zinga Bhoi, Kurmure Nandiwala, Gosavi, Matiwadar, Joshi, Kekadi, Bahurupi, Laman, Nathpanthi, Mariaiwala, Beldar, Gadia Lohar, Dahari, Dhawaly Nandiwale.

 
Table:-District wise no of different Institution surveyed

We will come out with a report soon that will be submitted to the National Commission of NT/DNT as well as the Social Justice and Welfare Ministry of India.


Community Profiling

Objective:

There are 42-44 different Nomadic communities in Maharashtra with a range of diversity among them. These differences and the unique characteristics that distinguish one community from another community need to be documented. Although there is some historic documentation of these communities, there is no up to date record of their current scenario. We at Econet have decided to create contemporary community profiles for Nomadic and Denotified Tribes. We are still in the primary stages of profiling but below are samples of two such profiles for the Nathpanti Gosavi and the Garudi communities respectively.


Nathpanthi Gosavi

The Gosavi claim that they are the followers of Gorkshnath and belong to the shaivite. In Maharashtra they are living in Thane, Pune, Satara and Sindhudurga. The Gosavi are recognized as an Other Backward Class (O.B.C) in Maharashtra. Among their sub groups, the Raj-giri and Bharati hold a higher social status.

Women Status

While widow remarriage is not allowed, widower remarriage is allowed. The dowry system exists in their society both in cash and in kind. Their traditional occupation consisted of different forms of begging. The education status of girls is very poor.

Garudi

In Maharashtra, the Garudi are found in Kolhapur, Snagli, Pune and Mumbai.

Women Status

While widow remarriage is not allowed, widower remarriage is allowed. The Manggarudi community is living in the districts of Pune, Baramati, Nasik, Buldhana, Nanded, Solapur and Nagpur.

Socio-Economic Situation

According to the social hierarchy, the Manggarudi are ranked lower than the Mahar. Manggardui women are not allowed to participate in discussions or arguments among their family and community when men are present. They are also prohibited from taking part in any religious activities. In general, the status of women in this community is very low.

All the members of the Manggarudi are landless laborers. They used to be engaged in robbery and other criminal activities although now some of them are jugglers and conjurors. Others may make ropes or beat drums. Among the Manggarudi, child labor is quite prevalent. One of the major changes that has recently taken place is that the community has given up their criminal activities and are now living as law abiding citizens.
Neither the local Panchayat nor any other organization has any role to play in the intra-group disputes.

March 1st 2006, the Maharashtra state backward class commission added the following communities to the Nomadic tribes list:

• No.8 in the list of N.T– Lohar – Gadi Lohar, Ghisadi Lohar, Chittod Lohar, Rajput, Lohar, Panchal Lohar, Khati, Khatwadi, Jingar.
• No. 21 in the list of N.T- Sikargar- Shikaligar, Shikargar, Shikilgar,