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Himachal Pradesh has considerable percentage of tribal population in the state. The different tribes in Himachal Pradesh include the Kinners or Kinnaure, Lahules, Spitians, Pangwalas, Gaddis and Gujjars. Gaddis are people who normally reside in the Mandi, Kangra and Bilaspur district and a majority of them live in the Kangra districtof Himachal Pradesh.

The peculiarity of Gaddi Tribe is their Khanabadosh Nature, they are Gypsies in true nature as they always travel to the pastures along their flocks.These particular tribes are not nomadic in strictest of sense as they already have villages where they reside. Still they do make their way to higher pastures in the summer season with their flocks. Gaddis are found in the Dhauladhar Range of the state. Some of the Gaddis dwell in Brahamaur Region of Chamba District, near the higher regions of Ravi River and valleys of Budhil River.


The origin of the Gaddis is rather unclear and they themselves believe that their ancestors fled from plains of India due to the lack of security. During that period the persecution of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb forced them to move to more protected area. According to research of anthropologists the origin of these tribes has a rich history behind the development of tribal community India. The fact about their origination lies in the popular myths in whole state of Himachal Pradesh.

There are several castes of Gaddis Tribal Society namely Khatri, Brahmin, Dhangar, Rajput , Thakur & Rana. The people here are usually oriented towards religion and even spiritualism. Both Hindu and Islam religions customs are practiced by huge population of Gaddi Tribal Community. Most of them worship Lord Shiva and also celebrate Shivratri festival with pomp and show.Gaddis go round and round in circles as they dance to the tune of music and drums. The hip hop goes as the dream beat increases till the foot is tired. Gaddis have mix of cultures some of Islam and other of Hindus. The most important thing for any Gaddi Tribe is the 25 yards long strand that is tied to their wrist worn by both men and women which serves as the symbol of the Tribe.

Place /Location (then and now)	Himachal Pradesh
Population	Half a million
Languages spoken	Gaddi, Takri, Hindi
Religion/God	Lord Siva
Food	Rice, Wheat, Jowar and Pulses like tur, moong, urad , etc

The difference among the people of Gaddi Community is due to the dressing style. The Gaddi Tribal men wear chola, Turban or Safa and Dora. While a Gaddi women wears Launchiri. The most attractive aspect about Gaddi Tribes is their attire. Women wear splendidly colourful dresses that are spun at home. A thick scarf over their head gives a very decorative and even serves protection purpose.

They have black sash on their back as it is useful for them to carry little children. Ornaments of Gaddi women include semi precious stones, little mirrors in their necklace and peacock feather and they even wear gold earings. These gold earings are also worn by men in this community.

In order to meet their day to day expenses and living, Gaddi have taken up many occupational acitivities. The occupation of Gaddis mainly is shepherding. They make their livelihood by rearing and selling sheeps, goats, mules and horses.

Apart from it the community even has farmers, weavers and tinkers ( a mender of metal household utensil) also.

In earlier times, Gaddi people indulged into crushing of millets and carrying of loads to make a living for themselves.

Gaddi tribes have strict moral values to which they try to stick always in even in the worst of circumstances. Indian Anthropologists have also observed that Gaddis are highly esteemed for their honesty, friendly disposition and peaceful lifestyle. Crime is rarely found in this community. Most of the Gaddi tribe is non-vegetarian and they even consume goat milk. In the earlier days child marriages and polygamy were mainly in practice but with the change in lifestyle the community has also grown up educationally.

Majority of Gaddi Tribe speak the Gaddi Language but for writing they use Takri Language. But now the Devangiri script is in vogue. Due to the impact of modern day culture the Gaddi Tribal have now mastered the Hindi Language.

Common festivals of Gaddi are as follows:

• Baishakhi: Baisakhi or 'Bisu' is celebrated on the Ist of month of mid April "Baisakh" by the people of Gaddi Tribe. They take cakes of Bhares and wheat flour on this day.
• Sair: "Sair" is celebrated by Gaddi Tribe with great enthusiasm on 1st of Asuj (Sept-Oct) month. Meat is eaten and some even take "Sur"(homemade beer) & Babrus of wheat flour are eaten with variety of vegetables. All of them go to their relatives, specially married daughters visit theri parents. This day is considered as the end of rainy season. And new clothes are purchased for this occasion.
• Patroru Sagrand: "Patroru Sagrand" is celebrated by Gaddi Tribe on 1st of Bhadon (August-September) month. On this day `Kachalu leaves' roled with `Besan' (gram dal flour) are fried in oil and Babrus is even eaten on this day.
• Lohri: "Lohri" is also celebrated by Gaddi Tribes. `Khichari' of rice and Mashed Dal is eaten with Desi Ghee and curd on this day.
• Shivratri: favourite festival of Gaddis is Shivaratri as it is associated with Lord Shiva in the month of Phalgun (Feb-March). Some Gaddi Tribe keeps fast and cereals are not taken by many persons.

In addition to these festivals, Holi, Dussehra and Janamashtmi festivals are also celebrated in the same manner by Gaddi Tribal Community.