Socio-Cultural Profile of Gujjar and Bakkerwa...

Socio-Cultural Profile of Gujjar and Bakkerwals in Jammu and Kashmir State

Author Name : Irfan Ahmad Lone, Professor R.S Gurna

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper to study the Socio-Cultural profile of Gujjar and Bakkerwals in Jammu and Kashmir. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is inhabited by different communities like Kashmiri, Dogras, Gujjars and Bakarwals, Dards, Baltis, Gaddis, Ladakhis, some settled quite a few nomadic. Gujjars and Bakarwals are confined to be Kandi areas. The Gujjar and Bakkerwals is the third largest cultural group in Jammu and Kashmir. They are the state’s most crowded scheduled tribes. Gujjars from an important ethnic and linguistic group in Jammu and Kashmir and constitute more than 20 percent of total population of the state separated in all most all districts of the state. The study will be a focus on the origin of various tribes. It also aims to assess their status and demographic profile in the state of Jammu and Kashmir would study their life style including population, physical appearance, religion, caste system, stratification, language, family, position of women, dress style, language, food habits etc. The social life of Gujjar and Bakkerwals were very much linked with their religious life right from birth to death.

Keywords: Social, Cultural, Gujjar-Bakkerwals, Jammu and Kashmir.