Crafts that speak their story to you!

The word ‘camel’ has been derived from the Latin word camelus, and from the Hebrew word gāmāl, which means ‘going without’, which describes this animal’s ability to go without food or water for days. India is at the eastern end of the distribution range of the one-humped camel with Rajasthan dominating about 80 percent of the camel population. India’s camel culture is globally unique, closely associated with Raika/Rebari community the most. There are many stories about the origin of the camel and how it came to India. The well-known is told by the Charans (storytellers, record-keepers) about Pabuji Rathore and Sayrah Bhagani. Pabuji was a thakur (landlord) from Kolumand, near Pokhran, who lived in the 14th century, and Sayrah Bhagani, the Nawab (ruler) of Mathela. One day Pabuji tried to steal the camels from Sayrah, those were grazing in a tree-studded plain near the village of Lankra which is located 12 km from Umarkot. Pabuji and Sayrah Bhagani started fighting with each other, but in the last minute, a Charan exchanged their turbans which meant that they had become like brothers. Sayrah Bhagani then offered the red and brown she-camels to Pabuji as a gift. Pabuji refused as he had nothing to give in exchange. Then Sayrah Bhagani suggested that he gift him the Charan. Pabuji agreed and ever since the Charans are respected by both Hindu and Muslim communities. This event is dated to 1321 V.S. according to the Charan.