The Occupations

The majority of the Gaddis are now also landowners and practice agriculture as their primary
means of livelihood. They are also pastorals and own large flocks of sheep and goats, as the
traditional occupation. This has also resulted in their bartandari (customary) rights on forest land
which are Government owned. Today, many of them have also taken up jobs as teachers, in
government and private organizations and other white collar jobs. Some are also working as
unskilled laborers in public works department and forest departments to augment their
income.They have agricultural land-holdings where they are growing corn, potatoes, vegetables
etc. The women are taking care of the farming, cattle and the households whereas the men are now
moving out in to the world to look for ways of earning money.
The community has a total dependence on local market, where at times the people barter their
meager surplus cereal produce with the shopkeeper, who acts as middlemen between the people
and the market. Horticulture produce is sold to bigger markets through local collecting agents.
Barter is rarely resorted to and cash forms the usual medium of exchange. The children below 15
years, both boys and girls, assist their parents in and outside the household activities and also tend
the cattle. While working as causal labors in road maintenance they also receive wages in cash.
Education and employment have brought them in contact with the wider world. Liberalization of
the caste Considerations have been observed in families which have got education and moved to
urban centers. The Gaddis are talking part in political activities at the regional level in State
Assembly and the cabinet.

Traditional dress of the gaddi community is typical easily distinguishable from other people of
habitat by the way gaddis are dressed. Though the clothing pattern is going thru change with the
passage of time, yet 'Chola and Dora' dress and is worn or considered on most of the festivals and
occasions. Gaddis engaged in agricultural and allied pursuits wear pyjamas like other local people.
Gaddi shepherds used to wear their traditional dress which is changing as well.
Traditional male gaddis wear'Chola'(or Cholu) which is a long loose woolen dress upto their knees
and tied round their waist with several rounds with Dora. Gaddis women also wear similar type of
dress is normally made from `Long Cloth' which is manufactured 'Chola' is white one. The chola
is made up of 'Patti'(hand spun woolen cloth) and is stitched in such a way that Gaddi during
migration keeps new born lambs in his 'Chola'. Baby Lambs can be 5-6 kilogram in weight.
'Chola' is used as bedding also. Special design of the 'Chola' is made of wool as earlier this apparel
used to be the dress of Lord Shiva.
Dora is most important part of the dress as it is wworn over 'Chola' or 'Luanchri' round the waist.
But to mean, woman and child. The maximum length of a 'female wear 'dora' measuring about 50
Mts where as for men it may be the 10 to 25 Mts. The maximum weight is 2 kg. which is worn by
adult males. The 'Dora' of adult woman weighs in between If to 2 Kgrs, whereas the `dora' of
children is about half kilogram in weight. It is made of wool and is ususlally black in colour. Dora'
is worn due to a number of reasons.It is used as saddle for carrying the load on the back. It is used
as rope for carrying luggage known as "Kachhi". It keeps the waist erect specially while climbing
up the hills. Small articles like leather pouch of tobacco, flute and money bag are tied in it. This is
also used as pillow especially during journeys. It has a religious touch as well and gaddis take it as
a sign of 'Lord Shiva".
Luanchari - Women Dress
Dora - For Luanchari and Chola
Gaddi Women - Attire
Chola - Men Dress
Legs used to be generally kept naked by men earlier. "Suthan" or "Pyjama" is worn on certain
occasions especially on marriages etc.This "Pyjama" or "Suthan" is of cotton or woollen(also
called 'Unali-suthan') whicn is tight below the knees up to ankle and loose above knees. A loose
shirt "Kurti", is worn by men under "Chola". This "Kurti" or "Kurta" is made of cotton cloth.
Both cap and turban are used to cover the head. The most common topi (cap) is made of woollen
piece of cloth and is a round one which is 5 to 6 inches in height. Woollen topi which is known as
"Bushari topi" in Himachal is also worn. Gaddis are found of Kalgi and flowers. They stitch kalgi
on the topi and keep flowers on their turbans especially on marriages and fairs.The peak of the
gaddi cap is said to represent the Kailash mountain peak. Women wear "luanchri" which is made
of cotton cloth of special pattern and design.Complete luanchri reaches down to the ankles, it is
worn in the same way as chola is worn by male gaddis. 'Chadru" is used by gaddans to cover the
head. Mostly it is coloured muslin. The approximate length is two metres.Female costume consists
of luanchari,dora along with a dupatta with frill, called Ghundu. It required 20 m of fabric to make
a luanchari.
Gaddis mostly wear shoes made by local cobblers. Shoes are generally made up of leather, called
Mocharu are heavy sturdy and last for longer time. These are rough looking but a durable shoes
also called "Jutta".Footwear of ladies are also heavy in general and has colorful handicraft designs
but lighter than mens footwears. Ladies also wear chappals mostly purchased from markets.
Previously ladies were found bare footed but now the time has changed and they use chappals and
shoes especially of plastic. For their children they purchase shoes made of plastic or cloth from the
market.
During marriages gaddi boy(groom) traditionaly wears a very fascinating and attractive dress
called Kadd or Luancha.It is a long red or maroon colored cotton frock with similar colored yolk.
It is decorated with different types of mirrors, frills and pippins.The waist of the Kadd is tied with
a white and yellow cotton piece called a Patka.A red or marron colored shawl is also taken over
the Kadd.On the head groom wears a very intricate crown called Sehra made by local people, i
consists of 'chiris' desinged coloreful sticks in its circumference.
ORNAMENTS:
The silver ornaments are more common than golden ones among Gaddi women. But this largely
depends upon the availability and economic status.Most of the traditional gaddi ornaments are
silver with mina work on it. In mina work the pattern of the jewellery is filled with
colour.Ornaments has peculier motifs and designs. Silver ornaments are weighty and of peculiar
design also considred sacred in Gaddi community.But for nose gold is considered good notion
than silver.Ornaments are worn on both sides of nose, Balu on one side and Fulli on other side.
Small ornaments are of gold.Traditionally gaddi jewellery was a heavy but now-a-days its weights
is reducing according to the taste of wearer.The community has total dependence on local market
for its jewellery.As a result they contribute good business to local sunars (goldsmiths). Woomen
has often sing songs about getting their jewelery, like 'Churi-banga koke ghadi diyan vo suniara..
Koke ra rawaj bara bhari.. ho'.
Chak and Chiri are the silver ornaments meant for hair. Chak is made of silver is very light in
weight. Hair clips are also used to keep the hair dressed. These are also made of silver. Necklaces
are very popular among gaddi women. Necklaces are mostly made of silver and can be prepared
by silver smiths of the village. They are still of the traditional design. Chandan Har and
Champakali are the famous ornaments. Some Gaddi women were seen with golden Necklace "
Kandu" which weighs approximately 20 to 30 grams. Many Gaddi women wore necklaces of
silver rupee coins wearing emblem of Queen Victoria to which they called "Malka Rupiya". Many
necklaces were just coins of 4 Annas and 8 Annas of pure silver with sume superstitios belief.
They also wear the strings of red, white and green beads.
Ornaments of nose have their social and religious importance as these are considered the sign of
"Suhag" of the women. Widow gaddans do not wear any ornament in the nose. Long, Koka, Tilli.
and Balu are the ornaments of nose. Balu is worn on certain ceremonies. A golden ornament in the
centre of nose is worn which is known as Black.
Variety of ear ornaments are worn by gaddi women. Some times 3 to 4 ear rings are worn for
which the ear is pierced at 3 to 4 places. Some Gaddi males also wear ear rings. Among the
ornaments of ear, Bali, Bunde, Jhumke, Kante, Latkni; Tungni and Kanphuls are famous. Silver
bracelets are worn by Gaddi women. Gojru, Toke, Kangnu, Snangu and Bangan are the famous
ornaments. Gaddi women do not miss the opportunity of purchasing bangles in the fairs. Finger
rings are also worn and is known as "Mundri".
Some giddi women wear rings in their ankles and toe fingures. Some old gaddis had kept "Kan
khurkani" and I'Dand khurkani with them. Even male gaddis belonging to upper strata of the
community wear gold rings in ears and they call it "Murkies". Gaddi women keep long hair which
are dressed with wooden comb known as `Kangi' which functions from both sides. Some have
started using rubber/plastic combs. Gaddans while combing hair part them in centre and thus the
hair on both sides are some times tied in many plaits and then a long braid is tied with cotton or
silken "Parandu" of red or black colour. Some times they tie the hair with simple "Dori". Married
women put vermilion in their mangs. A big red "bindli" or bindi is also put on the forehead. Some
women decorate their hair with flowers. Women do not comb their hair daily. Mehandi is used by
Gaddi women during marriages and other occasions. Men are not very particular about their hair
dressing. Some young gaddis may comb their hair but old gaddis did not care to comb hair even
for long time.
Women Ornaments
Chakk or Chonk:
It is put in the top/back portion of the head. It is conical in shape. It has two small round structures
called chakdi in uniform size attached with silver strings. These are fixed on both sides of the
main part after mounting it over the head.It is also considered sign of a married lady.
Gojru:
Gojru are silver bracelets with narrow width and are worn in pair.
Chanderhar:
It is a big sized necklace made up of silvers with mina work over it. It is worn in marriages and
fairs. It is worn with Chola-dora and can be worn with a salvar kamij as well. On marriage groom
also wears chander haar.

Chakk - Head Ornament

Gojru - Hand Ornament
Chanderhaar - Neck Ornament

Chiri:
Chiri is worn on forehead and is fixed with the help of strings. It is similar to mangtika and is
important ornamanet of a married lady.
Toke:
These are also flat silver bracelets as compared to gojru.Tokes are also worn in pair.
Pari:
Pari is Payal(foot necklace). Worn on ankels usually made of silver. It makes loud sound while
walking.It is usually a symbol of the presence of a newly wed in the house.

Chiri - Forehead Ornament

Toke - Hand Ornament
Pari - Ankle Ornament

Jhumka:
Jhumkas are the ear rings whic may vary in shape size and metal.
Singi:
Singi is small sized necklace, light in weight and clings to the neck.String consists of golden
coloured light weight beads but pendent is silver only.
Clips:
Clips are like ordinary clips connected with silver connections falls over the plait on both sides of
neck.

Jhumke - Ear Ornament

Singi - Neck Ornament
Clips - Ear&Neck Ornament

Beeni Chakk:
It is round in shape and fixed over the plait after combing hair properly. One loop and two strings
are attached to fix the beeni chakk.
Phullu:
These are toe ornaments.These are of different shapes and sizes.Although these are worn by most
of women, for newly weds they are considered mandetory.
Fulli:
Fulli is big sized nose pin made up of gold.It is round in shape and generally red colored stone is
placed in the middle of fulli. It is also considered as the symbol of a married lady.
Balu:
Balu is a big sized nose ring. It is made up of gold and may vary in shape and size. Traditional
jewelley of gaddis was hand made but now with new trends they go for machine worked jewellery
as well.