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Gujarati people

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Gujaratis
Regions with significant populations
Majority populations in:

Significant populations in:

Other:

Languages
Religion
Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Indo-Iranians, Indo-Aryans, Marathas, Sindhi people, Punjabis

- The Gujarati people, or Gujaratis, are a Gujarati speaking people of mostly Indo-Aryan origin.

People of the Gujarati ethnicity are primarily located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh regions of India; in the former Portuguese-ruled parts of India — Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as in parts of Pakistan. The Gujaratis living in Pakistan are Muslims and are mainly those who migrated after the Partition of India and subsequent creation of independent Pakistan in 1947. They belong mainly to the Memon, Khoja, and Bohra groups. A large majority migrated to Karachi. A number of families still have relatives in Indian Gujarat and consider Gujarati to be their native tongue, even though they were born and brought up in Karachi.

The Gujarati language has been adopted by communities such as the Parsis (Persians), who have made the Gujarat region of the Indian subcontinent their home.

Some scholars hold that "Gujar" or "Gujjar" is the Indic term for Khazar. Khazars (or "Gujjars") are reputed to have invaded historic north western India (the former Indus Valley region) — what is now Gujarat and Punjab (in northwestern India and Pakistan). This region was the first to host Aryan-speaking peoples, and their descendants remain in the area. Other scholars connect the name etymologically to "Gurjiya", the Persian name for Georgia, asserting that they were a Georgian contingent affiliated with the Hephthalites who invaded India and settled in Gujarat by 600 CE.

Due to a hard working and entrepreneurial spirit, many Gujaratis have done relatively well for themselves abroad. The diamond business has brought many Gujaratis to Belgium and the motel business has a large percentage of Gujaratis in the United States.

Food

The majority of Hindu Gujaratis are vegetarian. This is largely due to the influence of Jainism in the state of Gujarat. Gujarati cuisine follows the traditional Indian full meal structure of rice, curry, vegetables and bread. The bread is usually a rotli. The different types of roti (breads) that a Gujarati cooks are rotli, bhakhri, thepla, puri, maal puda and puran-poli. Ghari and Khakhra are also eaten as roti, but they are usually eaten as a snack. Khaman, Dhokla, dhokli, dal-dhokli, undhiyu, fafda, chevdo, papdi, bhusu and Sev mamra are Gujarati dishes savoured by many communities across the world. Use of Ghee in meals is very common. For example, pouring in rice or khichdi and applying on rotli. The meal is usually accompanied with a sweet and a salty snack (farsaan) like Vada. Gujarati cookbook writers like Tarla Dalal are famous internationally.

The vegetable cooking involves preparing basic sauce first by frying masala with tomatoes and onions. The vegetables are added later. Gujarati are more comfortable cooking with peanut oil (shing tel). However, while living abroad they adjust their cooking method with available Canola or Sunflower oil. The making of masala used to be done on a grinding stone. The new generation depends on a blender or grinder to make masala. Each person makes masala differently, hence cooking tastes different depending on the household. People from north Gujarat use dry red chilli powder, whereas people from south Gujarat prefer using green chilli and corriander in their cooking. Gujarati Jains (and many Hindus) avoid using garlic and onions in their cooking. At the end of meal, a Gujarati loves to eat Mukhwas or a paan. In many parts of Gujarat, having Chass butter milk or soda after lunch or dinner is quite common. Gujarati families celebrate Sharad Purnima by having dinner with doodh-pauva under moonlight.

Pakistani or Muslim Gujaratis are normally non-vegetarian.

Dress and jewellery

Gujaratis change their dress according to the regional and local culture. Old wedding pictures of Gujaratis sometimes show the kurta (called zabbho) and pajama (called lenghas). Kurtas have changed the appearance to more of national culture from regional culture. For quite some time, fashionable Gujarati ladies enjoyed wearing kimonos, but now they are switching to wearing punjabi suits at home and saris outside, wrapped in Gujarati style. Among men and women of the younger generations, western attire is becoming more common.

For jewellery and accessories, Gujarati ladies love hanging a bunch of keys on the waist. The keyring holder is usually made in silver. Usual jewelry worn by ladies include the mangal sutra, necklace, earing, bangles, ring. With incidence of theft rising, cheaper costume jewelry is becoming more common. During weddings, Gujarati brides wear a lot of jewellery. It is common to see a Gujarati male wearing a gold chain and a ring. Married Gujarati women also traditionally wear a red 'bindi' (red powder worn in a round shape on the forehead also found in the form of an easy-to-use sticker).

Arts, literature, and entertainment

File:Garba-dandia02.jpg
Gujaratis playing raas, a traditional Gujarati dance

Fabric designs involve use of Batik. The embedding of mirrors (called abhla) in fabric is favourite among art lovers. Wall hangings demonstrate use of knitting and embedding of mirrors. Gujarati pottery includes different kind of deeva (lamps) and pots. During the festival of Navratri, youngsters wear traditional dress and go out to play dandia and sing garbas.

Gujarati theatre owes a lot to bhavai. Bhavai is a musical performance of stage plays. Ketan Mehta and Sanjay Leela Bhansali explored artistic use of bhavai in films such as Bhavni Bhavai, Oh Darling Yeh Hai India and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Dayro (gathering) involves singing and conversation reflecting on human nature.

Gujarati literature has come a long way since being pioneered by Narmad. Saraswatichandra is a landmark novel by Govardhanram Tripathi. Writers like K. M. Munshi, Suresh Dalal, Jyotindra Dave, Tarak Mehta, Harkisan Mehta, Chandrakant Bakshi, Pannalal Patel, Prahlad Brahmabhatt, Vinod Bhatt, Kanti Bhatt, Makarand Dave, Kalapi, and Varsha Adalja have influenced Gujarati thinkers.

Gujarati films have made artists like Upendra Kumar, Snehlata, Mahesh Kumar Kanodia, Naresh Kanodia, Aruna Irani and Asrani popular in entertainment industry. Bali Brahmbhatt in the USA came up with hit songs of "Patel Rap", referring to changing values of Gujarati culture.

There are dedicated television channels airing Gujarati programs.

Prominent Gujarati people

 Parveen Babi, late actress
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