Social Structure of a Nomadic Community : Raika

Abstract

Raikas are the largest group of nomadic pastoralists of India. Each year after the rains, hundreds and thousands of shepherds embark in collective camps on migraton; journeys that can span distance of up to 1200 kms and last up to nine months. The present paper is an attempt to study the social structure among Raika. Fieldwork has been done in two villages predominantly inhabitated by Raikas, Raika Ki Dhani and Manpur Bakdi in Pali Sirohi Belt.