The Thari also known as the Dhatti (ٿري, ڍاٽي) are an Indo-Aryanethno-linguistic group who reside in the Thar Desert, which is divided between Pakistan and India. They speak Thari, also known as Dhatki language. Thari is also a geographical term, it refers to anything which belong or come from Thar desert. The Thari people live primarily in Tharparkar district of Sindh in Pakistan.[2][5] In India, Thari speakers are found in western parts of Rajasthan.[2][3]
Lifestyle and Culture
A Thari Women
The Thar live in the harsh environment of the Thar Desert, therefore they spend a considerable amount of time fetching water for themselves or their animals.[6] The Thari marry early, often during teenage years.[7] They wake up early and herd the animals with the females waking up earlier than the men.[8] The Thari are known for their carpet industry, and earlier in history they used to make shawls.[9] The Thari also celebrate Lok Mela, along with the Sindhis.[10]
The Thari have suffered throughout history due to the environment they live in, but as the world progresses into a new era, the Tharis have been suffering even more with no cars or phones.[11] The music of the Thari is regarded as Rajsthani music with a "little spice" to it.[12] The ethnobotany of plants used by the Thari people has been considered affective by scientists.[13]
The Thari, whether Muslim or Hindu, have always been peaceful to each other.[14] Some Thari women work coal mining jobs across Sindh.[15]
Clothing
The clothing of the Thar is a mix of Rajasthani and Sindhi clothing, as well as a small influence of Gujarati. The Thari women wear Ghagra cholis, a type of Punjabi and Gujarati clothing with the Thari men wearing a turban and sometimes wearing a Shalwar Qameez. During funerals, Thari women wear bangles and Thari men wear black dresses.[5]
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